QPR REPORT

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Ipswich Official Site IT WAS A GOAL

Photo 1 and Photo 2

It was over the line and it was handball.

Our pictures taken from the cameras around Portman Road clearly show that Shumi'sclose range effort in Saturday's goalless draw against QPR was handled by Matthew Connolly.

The Rangers' defender was also at least a foot behind the line when he made contact with the ball but referee Paul Armstrong waved away Blues' appeals for a goal - and a penalty.

Town skipper Jason De Vos was close to the incident and has no doubts it was a 'goal', telling Ipswich World:"It cost us two points.

"The ball was over the line, a good foot over the line. If we had video technology in the game, it would have shown that.

connolly over the line
Connolly is clearly over the line

"We've already lost two points at Burnley when we had a legitimate goal from Pablo ruled out when he was clearly onside and behind the ball.

"Those four points could prove very costly at the end of the season.

"I don't know why we won't bring video into football. It will make refereeing easier and that can only be good for the game.

"I spoke to the referee and linesman about the ball that was over the line and the linesman said he couldn't see it. So why don't we use the technology to help these guys out." Official Site

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Not something QPR want to be associated with.

Ipswich Evening Star Terrified Town fans attacked
31 March 2008

Paul Sankey indicates the window that was smashed by vandals at the Manningtree station buffet

A BAYING mob of away football fans descended on a bar full of Ipswich Town supporters and embarked on a frenzied attack, which up to 50 people were caught up in.

A gang of about 15 Queen's Park Rangers fans smashed bottles, threw bar stools and punched customers in one of the worst scenes of football violence in recent months.

The incident was the third of its kind in the last two months where trouble has been caused following matches, prompting fears the dark days of football hooliganism have returned.

Witnesses reported seeing the away fans, who were on their way back to London from Saturday's goalless match at Portman Road, get off the train as it pulled into Manningtree station at about 6pm. They then burst their way into Manningtree Station Buffet and began shouting “we are QPR” while throwing bottles and punching ITFC fans, including one pensioner.

More than half of the home fans in the café bar on the platform at Manningtree station were children as young as eight, who were left petrified by the random assault in which three home fans were injured. One person was taken to Colchester General Hospital.

The incident ended when the fans ran back to the train however the National Express service was halted by police and kept at the station for about 15 minutes.

Four men, aged 44, 47, 48 and 50, were arrested by Essex police for offences ranging from affray to actual bodily harm and public order offences. They were taken to Clacton police station where they were interviewed by British Transport Police officers.

A spokeswoman for Essex police said: “We were called about 6.15pm to the Buffet to reports of a fight with Ipswich and QPR fans. There were 50 of them in total. BTP are now dealing with the incident.”

Paul Sankey, 52, who has owned the Station Buffet for the last eight years, described the incident as “scary” and said his 21-year-old daughter Charlotte, the only staff member working at the time, was very shaken up.

Mr Sankey was called as the violence erupted and he arrived just as the fans were running back to the train.

He said: “I locked the door and stood by it to stop anyone from coming in. Charlotte had taken the children up towards the back so they were kept out the way.

“We get a lot of fathers bringing their children in here before and after games. There were a lot of women and children in here at the time. They were petrified and some of the children were crying.

“I think the fans knew what they were doing because they all got off at a door right opposite us. We do have a lot of Ipswich fans come in here on match days when they are waiting for their trains, but they are usually families.

“Charlotte was just shouting at them to get out. She was shaken up afterwards. It was scary enough for a man let alone a young girl or children.”

Staff at the station called police and officers from Essex police and British Transport Police quickly arrived at the scene.

Two windows were smashed, and with the amount of glass and bottles broken as well as a bar stool, Mr Sankey believes the damage will come to about £300.

A spokesman for the BTP said: “The British Transport Police aren't out to spoil the fun but members of the travelling public, including law-abiding football fans, have the right to travel in safety on match days without fear of being abused or assaulted by a few rogue elements.”

British Transport Police today said the investigation was ongoing.

Were you one of those injured at the café or did you witness the event? Call the Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.



Messages from both home and away fans were posted on the ITFC supporters website Those Were The Days

Jimmy Luff wrote: “After the game about a dozen guys came in chucking bottles and glasses. A couple of Ipswich fans were cut and taken to hospital. Lots of kids in there crying. Back to the dark ages. QPR fans must be well proud.”

A fan, using the website name CoulsdonR, said: “Another QPR fella here. There is always gonna be a bad element but the majority of us are civilised, decent supporters. Never had a problem with Ipswich.”

AldersbrookBlue: “I have lots of QPR mates and it's a civilised club with decent fans, on the whole. Sadly, all London clubs will always have a few fans who feel that they can come out of the smoke to a provincial town and think they can lord it. And I say that as a London-based Town fan who has just arrived home from a drive down the A12.”

hertsblue: “Was on that train with my two kids - cant say I was very impressed. I did hear that the "fight" was pre-planned - don't know if it was or that was just talk. Got off at Liverpool Street and there were police everywhere and QPR fans singing their hearts out - sounding a bit aggressive if you ask me. I think we will take the car next time.”

Saturday's trouble follows a number of football-related arrests involving Ipswich matches

On Saturday, March 15, BTP officers were called in after train company National Express East Anglia reported a disturbance involving Charlton fans on the 5.30pm train from Norwich to Liverpool Street.

Staff on board the train called police and the train was held at Chelmsford station where officers had been waiting.

Stephen Rowlinson, 37, of Burrage Road, Plumstead, London, has been charged with criminal damage. He is due to appear in South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, April 23.

Trevor Green, of Blickling Close, Ipswich, appeared in South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to affray and admitted attacking rival fan Geoffrey Bonsor following a defeat against Watford on February 9.

Green, 28, is now facing a possible prison sentence and a ban from football matches when he appears in court next month.

Another Blues fan Robert Reed, 30, of Malvern Close, Ipswich, was banned from going to football matches for the next three years after admitting threatening an opposition supporter after the same game. Ipswich Evening Star


Sussex and Essex Online/Russell Claydon - Four arrested after rail station fracas

FOUR football fans were arrested after trouble broke out at Manningtree Railway Station last night, police said.

The men were arrested following a disturbance at the train station around 6.30pm.

Essex Police officers arrested the men, aged 44, 47, 48 and 50, for offences ranging from affray to actual bodily harm and public order offences.

They were taken to Clacton Police Station, where they are currently being interviewed by British Transport Police officers.

It is thought they were QPR fans travelling back from the match against Ipswich Town
EADT

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Telegraph - Huw Turbervill Ipswich draw little comfort but make point
Ipswich felt aggrieved with referee Paul Armstrong after they were denied a goal and a batch of penalty appeals.
Alan Lee appeared to be shoved in the back by Michael Mancienne just before half-time, and the striker claimed he was pushed again by Matthew Connolly on the hour.
By far the most contentious incident, however, was when Velice Sumulikoski's close-range effort was cleared by Connolly. Ipswich were adamant that the ball had crossed the line and the QPR player had handled.
A point keeps the hosts' play-off hopes alive, though, while the visitors' hopes seem to have ended.
"We didn't have any luck in terms of the decisions," said Ipswich captain Jason De Vos.
"We should have had a penalty in the first half and we scored a legitimate goal in the second. The video shows that, but unfortunately the referee and his assistants don't have the benefit of that during a match so we have to lick our wounds and be happy with the point.
"There's a lot in the press about the abuse of referees. The referee isn't going to change his mind because you're screaming at him. But he's there to do a job and I think video technology would make his job easier."
QPR goalkeeper Lee Camp said: "Matthew admits it hit his hand but said it was ball to hand. It's one for television to sort out and it just shows how a tough a job the referees have Telegraph


Daily Mail/BRIAN SCOVELL - No spot luck for Ipswich
England need a captain like Jason de Vos, the Canadian centre half. Six minutes from the end of a lively game that could have ended 5-3, the Ipswich skipper hauled away his younger colleagues from referee Paul Armstrong.
They claimed that the ball was over the line when it struck Mark Connolly's arm and the unruly scene was repeated at the final whistle before De Vos stepped in again. "I was like a policeman," he said.
"I've seen the video and there was no argument about it. But the referee and his assistant didn't have a good view of it and you have to accept their word. There's no point abusing the referee. He's not going to change his mind. The captain should be the only person to speak to the referee but in a calm way."
Fabio Capello, meanwhile, should study the PR technique of QPR boss Luigi De Canio. Both use interpreters but De Canio comes up with jokes, including one about the disallowed goal. "The ball hit the player's arm and possibly we were a bit lucky the referee missed it," he said. "But my keeper assured me that if it had been given, he would have saved it!" Daily Mail


The Times - Ipswich Town 0 Queens Park Rangers 0
Ipswich’s play-offs hopes were dented by Lee Camp, the Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper. The home team had the better chances and Jim Magilton, the manager, rued points dropped after his team had two penalty claims turned down.
Alan Lee claimed that he was pushed by Michael Mancienne, the QPR defender, and in the 85th minute players surrounded Paul Armstrong, the referee, after Velice Sumulikoski’s close-range header was blocked on the goal-line by Matthew Connolly. Magilton said: “Schumi [Sumulikoski], Jason [de Vos] and Alan Lee have said the ball was behind the line and that the lad used his hand. I’m not here to be critical of referees. I love them.”
Luigi De Canio, the QPR first-team coach, said: “This is a really important and valuable point.” The Times


East Anglican Daily Times/Derek Davis - Missed chances and poor decisions costly
THE Championship's version of musical chairs is getting to the mouth-watering stge.
With a potential £30m plus to be unwrapped, rather than a bar of chocolate, each step towards the final place in the coveted top six gets more breathtakingly exciting as epitomised in this edge-of seat thriller.
While Ipswich will consider these two points dropped, the goalless draw virtually ends QPR's hopes of being in the game when there are just four seats left for the elusive last hot-spot to join the two that automatically go to play with the big boys.
So tight is the scramble for the play-off places, that three teams had their bums on the sixth-placed seat in a four-hour spell on Saturday.
Town briefly took over from Plymouth before Wolves' last-gasp win at Charlton in the evening saw them leap-frog into the coveted space, at least for a week.
Victory over Colchester at Layer Road on Saturday could see Town force their way back into the play-off places while relegating their Essex neighbours, not a nice thought but as the late, great, Alan Ball used to say “football is a beautiful game but a horrible business”.
The beautiful game was in evidence as Ipswich and QPR went at each other hammer and tongs in an open and expansive game filled with chances and incident.
The only thing missing was goals and all the money the combined billionaire owners of these two clubs have, could not buy one of those.
Ipswich had three claims for a penalty, two of which looked nailed on.
The first was when Michael Mancienne cleared pushed Alan Lee in the back as he went up for a ball.
Referee Paul Armstrong later explained to the players that, in his opinion, it was merely a coming together of the two but in the opinion of this reporter, it was a definite foul.
It is also this reporter's opinion that Gavin Williams should have buried the chance that immediately fell to him but he missed the target completely.
With Pablo Counago suspended and Jon Walters and Shefki Kuqi not fit, Magilton chose to go with Danny Haynes up front with Lee and brought in Williams on the right flank.
Williams, who has struggled with injury for most of the season and is in contract dispute, has played just once this calendar year, in the FA Cup loss with Portsmouth, and it showed.
He was unable to do himself justice and never produced the way we know he can.
He failed to combine effectively with full debut-making Danny Simpson, the on-loan Manchester United right back, who showed quality in defence and attack.
Even switching wings did not help much and Alan Quinn offered only glimpses of his ability, not least when he forced the outstanding Lee Camp into a terrific save from a free kick.
Williams had been replaced by Gary Roberts by the time the most contentious decision was reached, as was Quinn who had gone off six minutes from time for Jordan Rhodes, a decision the crowd indicated should have been made much earlier.
Rhodes was instantly involved as he flicked on an Owen Garvan corner which came back off the inside of the far post.
Velice Sumulikoski nudged it in from close range but it was scooped out by a Matthew Connolly arm, when he looked well over the line.
The officials claimed to have not been able to see the incident through the melee which is fair enough and yet another classic case where technology would help them make an informed, correct decision.
Lee's other claim for a penalty was when he went down under a Connolly challenge but that was less clear cut.
A goal, or two, would have been fitting for the game which both sides made entertaining with their open, attacking style.
Ipswich had the better chances and always looked the most likely to score from the moment a superb through ball by De Vos sent Haynes scampering away.
He left Fitz Hall with twisted blood as he turned him inside out before cracking a shot against a post.
De Vos, who had a three goals in six games record against QPR, almost extended that when he got on the end of a Quinn cross but Camp made a superb reaction save to beat it away.
Camp, a former team-mate of Stephen Bywater at Derby, was the busiest of the pair and denied Garvan and Haynes.
It can only be hoped by Town that those missed opportunities, and the Berkshire official's decisions, don't come back to haunt them when the music finally stops on May. East Anglican Daily Times


EAST Anglican Daily Times/Derek Davis - Blues boss bemoans bad luck and misses
JIM Magilton bemoaned two dropped points after Ipswich Town missing a host of chances and three penalty decisions went against them in their 0-0 draw at home to QPR.
The Blues were also adamant that the ball had crossed the line before it was knocked back out by a Matthew Connolly hand.
Town hit the woodwork twice, once from Danny Haynes the other from an Owen Garvan corner and QPR keeper Lee Camp, a former team-mate at Derby with Town keeper Stephen Bywater made two top class saves to deny the Blues.
Magilton said: “On any other day we get penalties. It looks a stonewaller to Shumi but also Shumi should put ball and man in the net.
“Also Gavin Williams should score when the ball lands to him after the push on Alan Lee.
“Danny has hit a post and their keeper has made two world class saves.”
Although highly entertaining, and a clean sheet for Town, Magilton could not help feeling they had lost out.
He said: “It was end to end, a bit too much for my liking but when the midfields vacate midfield as much as teams did today that is what happens.
“Credit to QPR they came to give us a game and did that.
“It is still a point but really I feel it is two dropped and we don't know if it will cost us at the end of the season. It is where we finish that is important.”
QPR boss Luigi De Canio admitted his side were fortunate and said: “It is difficult to judge if the ball went over the line because it was in the air. We were lucky with the hand ball because the referee did not see it but I'm assured if a penalty had been given Lee (Camp) would have saved it.”
In a highly entertaining first half encounter Hogan Ephraim came closest for Rangers with a free kick that went inches wide.
Town had the edge throughout, although Alan Lee on his 100th appearance for the Blues missed a couple a chances, Williams was also guilty while Camp made a reaction save to deny skipper Jason de Vos at a corner.
Camp also made a super save to push away a well-taken Alan Quinn free kick. EADT


Also earlier Reports and comments on QPR-Ispwich draw

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Sunday People 30 March 2008
Ipswich 0-0 QPR By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH boss Jim Magilton refused to point an accusing finger at ref Paul Armstrong after seeing his side drop two valuable points.

But it's a fair bet that if the Tractor Boys do manage to win promotion, the Berkshire whistler won't be on the guest list for the celebration party.

Magilton, who is already on an FA charge and facing a touchline ban, said: "I'm not allowed to talk about referees for the next 10 years!" A point from this stalemate actually lifted Ipswich into the top six but Magilton's men were adamant they should have bagged all three.

Macedonian international Velice Sumulikoski was convinced he had broken the deadlock five minutes from the end.

Owen Garvan's corner came off the head of Rangers defender Michael Mancienne and on to the far post.

Sumulikoski stabbed the ball goalwards and was sure it had crossed the line before Matthew Connolly's lastditch block.

To add to the home side's misery, it looked as if Connolly used a hand to scoop the ball out, making it three strong penalty claims rejected by the referee.

Magilton added: "On any other day we get penalties - of course we do - but we have also missed chances.

"It's still a point but we expect to win our home games, so it's two points dropped."
IPSWICH: Bywater 6 - Simpson 5, Bruce 5, De Vos 6, Sito 6 - Williams 5 (Roberts, 78mins), Garvan 6, Sumulikoski 5, Quinn 6 (Rhodes, 84mins) - Lee 6, *HAYNES 7.

QPR: *CAMP 7 - Mancienne 6, Hall 5, Stewart 6, Connolly 5 - Vine 5 (Lee, 65mins, 6), Leigertwood 6 (Rowlands, 57mins, 6), Mahon 6, Ephraim 6 (Balanta, 90mins) - Blackstock 5, Agyemang 6. Ref: P Armstrong 5.. Sunday People

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[And meanwhile former manager Garry Waddock's Aldershot are headed back to the Football League: 17 points run away leaders after their win yesterday (with ex-QPRs Bull and Donnelly playing). Speaking a couple of days ago about promotion- BBC

JOE GALLEN
South London Press/Toby Porter - Joe Selecta

MILLWALL coach Joe Gallen, like Arsene Wenger,started coaching at the age of 26.

And already, 10 years later, he has been assistant boss at QPR, where he coached at every level of the club.

He's almost replicated that at Millwall now, after just five months at The Den, having coached the youth team and the reserves.

Gallen has now stepped into the gap created by the departure of Colin West and is acting as assistant to Kenny Jackett until a permanent appointment is made.

He already has an enviable CV, with a job as assistant manager at Exeter City from earlier this season to add to his name. That's not surprising, since he's always wanted to coach.

Hammersmith-born Gallen was the eldest of three footballing brothers - Kevin has played more than 500 games and scored 120 goals during a 16-year career at QPR, Huddersfield, and now MK Dons.

Steven was at QPR and Doncaster Rovers. "Dad was always playing football with us in the park," said Joe. "I played for Middlesex and Inner London, and that's when things started happening."

He joined Watford before he turned 10, and was a professional there for two years, and later joined Exeter, then managed by World Cup legend Alan Ball. Even then, Gallen was paying close attention to the boss's methods.

"I was already watching him and thinking 'I'll be doing what you're doing one day,' but I don't really know why I was thinking about it so early in my career," said Gallen. "Maybe I should have started coaching even earlier."

He also played for the Republic of Ireland U21s with Mark Kennedy and Mark Kinsella against Germany, who had the likes of Markus Babbel and Christian Ziege in their lineup.

Then-Eire boss Jack Charlton was another manager to watch closely. "He took training and we all paid attention," said Gallen. "His presence was a big thing for us at the time."

Gallen's most successful season was in the Shrewsbury Town team that won the old Third Division in 1994, scoring twice in 15 appearances. Already by then, though, he was being plagued by a back injury that would end his career five years later.

"In the end it just became too difficult to get on the pitch," said Gallen. "I had been scoring lots of goals at youth level, then suddenly, I could not play any more.

"I never stopped having phonecalls from people who wanted me to play.

"But then a doctor at Harley Street said to me: 'I haven't got a magic wand. Why don't you join the Stock Exchange?' It wasn't the answer I needed. By the end, there was no point in fighting the inevitable."

But then QPR head of youth development, the late Chris Gieler, offered him the job of coaching the U9s, at the age of 26. "I jumped at it," said Gallen. "Without realising it, he had given me a direction in life."

Within two years, his badges were done. Last season, after the departure of Ian Holloway, Gary Waddock was appointed caretaker and asked Gallen to be his assistant. Their first game in charge was a 1-0 win over Millwall at Loftus Road.

One of his players at the time was younger brother Kevin. "I hardly spoke to him then, even though we are really close - I didn't want the other players to think I was trying to get him in the team," said Joe. "I would try to treat him like any player. We kept it professional - but we would talk on the phone later about what we really thought.

"I'm not jealous of Kevin at all. I have travelled hundreds of miles to see him play. And if I give him feedback, he seems to listen."

Gallen decided to go back into youth coaching after Waddock departed.

"I didn't think it was right to make the jump up," said the Irishman.

Millwall approached him to be youth coach last summer, but he turned it down to be assistant at Exeter to manager Paul Tisdale and director of football Steve Perryman. But he couldn't rent out his London home, and when Millwall asked again, he accepted the offer, and enjoyed his few months training the youngsters again, working with Jackett again after they had both been in the staff at Rangers.

"The step up from the reserves to the first team is always the toughest for players," said Gallen. "We need more Ali Fuseinis. At the moment, Charlton and Palace are doing better at finding talent. But things will turn around."

Now he is an important figure in first-team decision-making, he can play some part in setting out the future vision for the Lions.

"A winning mentality is key," he said. "We have a really young team. The average age against Luton was 22.

"We have looked really exciting away from home. We have pace and energy and individual ability and can take players on.

"We want a team that gets the ball down and plays it forward quickly.

"The manager has been brave in choosing this route and emphasising passing and technique.

"That is exciting for the future. We've played with a bit of anxiety against teams with little to lose like Luton. But we can all see how promising it looks - and after the wins at Swansea and Yeovil, we know it's there." South London Press

Also: South London Press - Success touched by tragedy

JOE Gallen's leadership at youth level has been a big factor in QPR's recent success.

He brought 15 centre of excellence graduates into the first team, and coached two England internationals.

They also won their youth league. In Dean Parrett, his set-up also produced one of the most promising midfielders of his generation, signed by Spurs for £2million last season.

"We were skint every year but we were the envy of many academies," said Gallen.

"I am glad now the club has new owners, that there's some money there at last."

But Gallen also had to cope with a season of trauma - the death of two scholars, which saw four of his youth products being questioned over a tragic accident.

In June 2005, QPR youngster Kiyan Prince, 15, was been stabbed to death outside his school.

And when a Vietnamese student died under a train at Earls Court station in December 2006, youth player Harry Smart was also badly hurt.

Smart, 17, was reported to have been play-fighting on a team-mate's shoulders when he fell during the rush-hour on November 23, taking Tu Quang Hoang Vu, 25, who later died, with him. Smart's friends were questioned over the death.

Ray Jones, 18, had already played 37 times for the first team and scored six goals when he died in a car crash in August 2007. Gallen said: "It was a very difficult time because I was close to all those players and their families." South London Press

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With five games remaining, QPR now have 53 points from 41 games. (8 points above a relegation spot). Current Table. This is the same number of points QPR finished with last season (when they took 7 points from their last 5 games in a season which began with Waddock and ended with Gregory). After 41 games last season, QPR had 46 points.

In the season before, 2005-2006 (the season Holloway started in charge; and Waddock finished in charge) QPR ended the season with 50 points.
And in QPR's first season back in the Championship, QPR got 62 points (a total QPR are unlikely to achieve this year, but hopefully will come close to) - and next season, G-d willing will surge past well before Easter! In their more than a decade since their Premiership relegation (three seasons of which, of course, were spent in an even lower division)QPR have yet to get more than 66 points in this Division.

Previous Seasons Finishes in this Division: [In 2000/2001, QPR's relegation season, QPR went down with 40 points. The season before, 1999-2000, under Gerry Francis, the team had gotten 66 points 1998/1999, saw Francis replace Ray Harford and stay up with 47 points. The season before that, 1997/1998 - a decade ago, in a season which saw Houston start and Harford finish, QPR again just stayed up with 49 points. Finally, QPR's first season after relegation (Wilkins starting; Houston finishing) 1996-1997, QPR finished with 66 points.

Also:- Bottom Three Championship places Over Past Decade

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QPR and Ipswich drew 0-0. QPR moved up to 53 points with 5 games remaining (7 points out of a playoff spot; 8 away from a relegation spot). League Table Note: QPR have now equalled their points total from last season.

UPDATE:
QPR Official Site - SATISFIED
Luigi De Canio was full of praise for his players, after seeing his much-changed side hold home-specialists Ipswich Town to a draw at Portman Road.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, the R's gaffer said: "I think we were really good value for the point.
"Both teams played really well and fought with their hearts and it's a shame there were no goals to show for both side's efforts.
"Ipswich are one of the best teams in the division and it's a valuable and very important point for us."
De Canio added: "We were without out top-scorer in Akos Buzsaky and our captain Martin Rowlands was only fit enough to play from the bench, so it's a great point for us.
"I can take a great amount of satisfaction from the afternoon. It shows how much we have progressed. We're getting consistency in our results and that is very good."
De Canio was honest enough to admit Rangers were 'quite fortunate' not to concede a late penalty when Matthew Connolly appeared to handle the ball on the line, commenting: "It is difficult to judge if the ball went over the line, as it was in the air.
"Possible we were lucky that the referee did not see the handball, but even so, Lee Camp assures me he would have saved it anyway!" QPR

Ipswich Official Site JIM: NO MOANS
Town boss Jim Magilton refused to blame the officials despite Town having a 'goal' turned away and two strong penalty appeals turned down in the goalless draw with QPR.
Referee Paul Armstrong waved away claims for a spot-kick after Alan Lee was twice bundled over in the box and then turned down appeals from Blues that Velice Sumulikoski's close range effort had been cleared from behind the line by the hand of a Rangers' defender.
"I'm not going to moan about the officials," Jim told Ipswich World after the game.
I did not have a great view of the incident at the end but my first thoughts were that Shumi should have smashed the ball back into the net.
"That said he was adamant, as were the other lads, that the ball was over the line and then hit the lad's arm.
"We also had two stonewall penalty appeals but we're not going to cry about it.
"We had the better chances and their 'keeper has made two world class saves but it was two teams going all out to win.
"It was surprising that the score was goalless at the break. There was one occasion when each side had two chances in the space of two minutes. It was end to end and too open for my liking but for anyone watching, it was a great advert for Championship football." Ipswich

SPORTING LIFE/Mark Bulstrode, PA Sport -MAGILTON'S MISERY AT POINTS DROPPED
Ipswich boss Jim Magilton rued "two points dropped" following his team's goalless draw with QPR in the Coca-Cola Championship.
The play-off chasing Suffolk side were foiled by a series of saves from visiting goalkeeper Lee Camp.
The Blues also had two penalty claims turned down in either half of the Portman Road clash.
In the first half, Town striker Alan Lee claimed he was pushed by Rangers defender Michael Mancienne as he challenged for a Danny Haynes cross.
And in the 85th minute, Town players surrounded referee Paul Armstrong after Velice Sumulikoski's close-range header was blocked on the goal-line by Matthew Connolly, claiming that the ball had crossed the line and Connolly had handled it.
Magilton said: "I haven't seen it but Schumi (Sumulikoski), Jason (de Vos) and Alan Lee have said it was behind the line and that the lad has used his hand to scoop it out.
"The lads are adamant."
He added: "In any other game, we get penalties, of course we do. In all fairness, I think Schumi should put ball and man in the net. Obviously, it's a stone-waller from his point of view."
Magilton refused to criticise the referee and said midfielder Gavin Williams had missed a great chance as the ball dropped following Lee's penalty appeal.
"Gavin Williams should score from Alan Lee's push," said the Northern Irishman.
"I'm not here to be critical of referees. I love them."
Magilton said he was disappointed with the result: "We are at home. We expect to win home games. For me, it's two points dropped."
He added: "I think it was a good advert for Championship football.
"The keeper has made two world-class saves for them. It's a case of missed chances.
"Credit to QPR, they came and gave us a game and will probably go away happier than we are.
"Whether that is going to cost us, we will have to wait and see."
Rangers' Italian boss Luigi de Canio said: "This is a really important and valuable point we've achieved today against a team that's possibly the best team we've faced this year in the Championship."
Asked whether he thought Connolly had handled the ball on the goal-line, he said: "It's difficult to judge if the ball crossed the line as the ball was in the air.
"As for the handball, possibly we were a bit fortunate the referee missed it. I have been assured that if the referee had seen it and given a penalty Lee (Camp) would have saved it."
He added: "I think it was a good game for both teams. It was just a shame really there were no goals.
"We were missing three or four very important players and people have stepped up and done very well." Sporting Life

QPR OFFICIAL SITE
In a fixture between two of the Championship's great entertainers, Ipswich and QPR fought out an entertaining stalemate at Portman Road.

Danny Haynes hit the post for the Tractor Boys in the first-half, while Hogan Ephraim blasted wide with the goal at his mercy, as the R's more than matched Jim Magilton's men in every department.

Rangers upped the tempo after the break and in the end, were good value for their point.

Luigi De Canio made three changes to the starting XI following last weekend's 3-3 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

With injury ruling out Akos Buzsaky (foot) and Martin Rowlands (neck), and Damien Delaney serving the first game of his two-match suspension, the Italian recalled stand-in skipper Gavin Mahon, midfielder Ephraim and no-nonsense centre-half Damion Stewart.

Ipswich were minus the services of hit-man Pablo Counago (suspended), which meant Haynes partnered Alan Lee in attack for the hosts.

After a tight opening to the game, it was Rangers who created the first notable opportunity. Michael Mancienne picked the ball up just short of halfway and made good ground, before dragging a 25-yard effort wide.

Play soon switched to the other end, and after Haynes got the better of Fitz Hall, the post came to Rangers' rescue, as his right-footed effort cannoned back of Lee Camp's left upright.

After a corner from the right by Alan Quinn, Jason De Vos rose tallest to power a header on target, but Camp stood firm to punch the ball to safety.

Rangers broke at pace and when Rowan Vine's cross-shot was only half cleared, Ephraim was quickest to the loose ball, only to inexplicably fire wide with the goal at his mercy.

Buoyed by their reprieve, Ipswich raced straight up the other end and Stewart came to the R's rescue, sliding in to thwart Haynes as the striker let fly from an acute angle.

Haynes was a constant threat, and when he was given time and pace to turn on the edge of the six-yard box, Camp dived low to his right to ensure it remained goalless.

As the clock ticked towards the halfway point of the first period, Ephraim curled a teasing 25-yard free-kick just wide of Stephen Bywater's right hand post.

Just before first half stoppage-time, Quinn squandered a great opportunity to put the Tractor Boys in front.

After vocal home appeals for a push by Hall on Lee on the edge of the six-yard box, the ball broke to the left midfielder, who blasted wide from close range.

As the rain lashed down at Portman Road, the second half started off in similar fashion to the first, with both sides enjoying an equal share of the possession.

R's Manager De Canio then made his first change of the afternoon, as Rowlands - who had been suffering all week with a neck injury - replaced Mikele Leigertwood in the 57th minute.

The midfield maestro was in the groove immediately, linking up well with Vine, whose deft near post cross was headed into the side netting by Patrick Agyemang.

Rangers continued to press and after good link-up play with Agyemang, Rowlands fired a tame shot into the hands of the grateful Bywater.

Moments later, Agyemang's sublime solo run from deep inside his own half ended with his shot deflecting wide for a corner.

Ipswich produced their best effort of the half in the 75th minute, as livewire Quinn curled a direct free-kick on target, but Camp was on hand to palm away.

There was controversy five minutes from time, when Matthew Connolly appeared to handle a goal-bound shot, but the decision was not forthcoming, to the disgust of every outfield Ipswich player, who surrounded referee Mr. Armstrong to vent their frustrations.

Ipswich Town: Bywater, De Vos, Bruce, Garvan, Williams (Roberts 77), Lee, Castro, Haynes, Simpson, Quinn, Sumulikoski.
Subs: Colgan, Wright, Trotter, Rhodes.
Bookings: Simpson 34

QPR: Camp, Mahon, Stewart, Mancienne, Blackstock, Connolly, Agyemang, Ephraim (Balanta 92), Vine (Lee 65), Hall, Leigertwood (Rowlands 57).
Subs: Barker, Pickens.
Bookings: Mancienne 46
Referee: Mr P Armstrong
Attendance: 24,517 QPR

Sporting Life Match Report - Match Report

Ipswich Official Site Match Report

Minute-by-Minute - Gamblog

Teams-QPR: Camp, Mahon, Stewart, Mancienne, Blackstock, Connolly, Agyemang, Ephraim, Vine, Hall, Leigertwood.
Subs: Barker, Rowlands, Pickens, Lee, Balanta.

Ipswich Town: Bywater, De Vos, Bruce, Garvan, Williams, Lee, Castro, Haynes, Simpson, Quinn, Sumulikoski.
Subs: Colgan, Wright, Roberts, Trotter, Rhodes. QPR

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QPR: Camp, Mahon, Stewart, Mancienne, Blackstock, Connolly, Agyemang, Ephraim, Vine, Hall, Leigertwood.
Subs: Barker, Rowlands, Pickens, Lee, Balanta.

Ipswich Town: Bywater, De Vos, Bruce, Garvan, Williams, Lee, Castro, Haynes, Simpson, Quinn, Sumulikoski.
Subs: Colgan, Wright, Roberts, Trotter, Rhodes. QPR

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Gino Padula who signed for Columbus Crew, this week, now has to wait for a visa (which means he won't get to play in the home opener against another former QPR player, Toronto's Danny Dichio)

MLS: "Gino Padula: After trying out for the team on the trip to England, Padula was signed to a contract just before the start of the season, and should take over the starting left back when he gets his visa. His playing experience includes seven years in England, a year in Spain, time in his native Argentina and most recently France. But until Padula's paperwork is done, anything goes -- with Stefani Miglioranzi, Andy Iro and Ezra Hendrickson all candidates to play. " MLS

MLS - COLUMBUS CREW vs. TORONTO FC COLUMBUS CREW STADIUM, Columbus, Ohio
"... • In the week leading to the opener, the Crew finalized the acquisition of Gino Padula, last with Montpellier FC in France's Ligue 2. The native of Argentina spent seven years in England (Walsall, Wigan, Queens' Park Rangers, Nottingham Forest), also playing in Spain with Xerez and River Plate and Huracan in his homeland.
• "He is a very good passing outside back," coach Sigi Schmid said. "He is very good with the ball, very calm on the ball and he doesn't panic. He'll get forward, but he picks and chooses the times to get forward a little more than (most)." Schmid was unsure when Padula would receive his work permit and join the team. "At this stage in his career, I think he's looking to settle in. Hopefully, he'll be our left back for a number of years."
• Padula will fit into a back line that includes a significant change from a year ago, where Marcos Gonzalez returned to his native Chile. In his place in central defense to start the season will be Danny O'Rourke, who played 27 games a season ago - all in a central midfield role." . MLS



Gillingham Official Site - Leroy: "Every game is a cup final."
Gillingham striker Leroy Griffiths is looking forward to the remaining seven games.

Griffiths scored the consolation goal for the Gills at Port Vale, and came close to equalising with a karate kick-style snapshot, and the striker hopes to have more shots on goal in the coming games: "The boss told me to stay between the posts, as at times I don't stay between them enough, and if the ball falls to you, you will get a goal. Luckily enough for me, from a corner, everyone missed it and the ball came to me and boom; perfect timing.

"It seems to be that I only score left foot volleys. At the moment, it is working for me so I'll keep working on them. I want to score a few goals off the deck and maybe take a couple around the goalie if I get a chance.

"That karate kick shot was going top bins. I thought to myself the ball is coming down so go for it. Normally, they work as I've scored two at home, one of which was disallowed even though I was miles onside and timed my run to perfection! I'm about scoring goals. Get into the position in the box and when they fall for me, I will take them."

The Gills take on Carlisle United at the KRBS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday and Griffiths admits the mood in the camp is good ahead of a tough game: "Every game in this league is a tough game. We need to get ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start from scratch. Hopefully we'll have a couple of experienced players back for Saturday like Andrew Crofts and Danny Cullip and they will help us with more passion and heart. The young lads that have come in, they have done well in the last couple of games.

"The mood is tremendous. Some players have let the Manager down in certain aspects but the rest of the team are digging in there together. We have got players like Adam Miller playing on an injury. I think playing on a hernia is phenomenal and he is doing the best that he can. Some people might be on his back but you have to understand that the amount of running he does for this team. Stay with us because we can stay up. We have got enough ability and quality in the squad and we just need to have that belief and stay focused.

"It is an old cliché but every game is a cup final. You always want to do better than your last game. With the staff at the club, they can help us stay up. We have got great facilities here and it is time for us to stand up and be counted when we cross that white line. The people here can help us all week long but when the game starts, it is down to us. If we continue to stick together as a team, we can do anything."

Griffiths has been used as more of a supersub in recent weeks and he explains why he can have such an impact coming off the bench: "My recent form has been a bit up and down. One minute I am flying and the next, I have got a little niggle. Now I am back flying, I want to keep that consistency. If I feel something now, I'll just talk to the Manager and he was kind to let me pull out of last Thursday's session with a hamstring injury so I didn't start on Saturday. I was on the bench and he put me on in both games over Easter.

"I am fresh and hungry when I come off the bench. I haven't been running around for over an hour and dogging opposition players. If you see me in a game, I am doing lots of dogging and tracking back. When I come off the bench, the opposition players are tired and I have loads of fuel to run at them. You don't want me running at you at 100 miles per hour if you've just played for sixty minutes! Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a great supersub for Manchester United so if I can have a record like his here at Gillingham, I won't argue with anyone. If it helps get me a new contract for next season, I will be very happy with that."

Griffiths has had a rollercoaster of a season and he explains that now he is playing for Mark Stimson again, he hopes to earn a new contract for nest season: "I started off the season unattached to a club, as I had just left Fisher Athletic, so I didn't have a pre-season. I went to Havant & Waterlooville but the Manager and I didn't get on. He was shouting at me and I am not a person to take abuse. Looking at the size of me, if you were smart, you wouldn't start shouting abuse at me! I didn't want to be drawn into it because it could've tarnished my reputation. If I wanted to get into Management at the end of my career, and I've had rows with Managers, that could go against me. They did owe me money but I thought money doesn't make me so money won't break me. I thought forget it and went down a couple of divisions to get some games under my belt.

"After I left Havant & Waterlooville, I went to Corinthian Casuals. I scored a couple of goals for them but can you picture me in their chocolate and pink kit with navy blue shorts and socks? I know Brian Adamson, the Manager of Corinthian Casuals, as he coached me before and he asked me to go down there and play a few games for them to help keep my fitness up and get me back up the football pyramid.

"I then got offers from Eastleigh and Lewes Manager Steve King. He knew me from before so I went there. I went to Lewes, played a couple of games and the next minute I got a phone call. Luckily enough, the boss saw I was playing and scoring goals so he gave me the opportunity to come to Gillingham. I said I would be over the moon to come down here and luckily enough, I am still here. I owe a lot to the boss and Scott for brining me here after a tough season to play in the amount of games I have and to meet the people I have met. I would rather play for Mark Stimson than any other Manager.

"I don't want to go anywhere. I love it at this club. The fans are awesome and I love them. I enjoy coming in here every day and the staff are brilliant. I've made so many new friends here with the players, the staff and the fans. There are no big time Charlies here and everyone is level-headed. You can go to certain clubs and there will be players who think they are bigger than what they are but everyone is normal here. There is a lot of respect here and I like that. I haven't had any qualms with anyone apart from a couple of tackles flying in on the training ground!

"I feel at home here, I love the club and I like the stadium. The Chairman here is one of only a couple of Chairmen that I have got on with, the other was the Chairman at Fisher Athletic. I've worked with Mark Stimson before and he is a great guy. Scott Barrett and Paul Smith, the physio, are top blokes. Everyone here is good to me and I am good back to them. As I feel comfortable here, it is helping me out on the pitch. I can relax now as I was a bit nervous when I came here. That happens when you go to a new club because you are not sure who is who. Now I am settled here, I would love to be here for another season or two."

Griffiths has been wearing bright orange boots in recent games and he revealed why he wears such rascal footwear: "I am a flamboyant man as everyone knows. I love colours and they make you stand out. If you want to stand out, you have to have something about you. My character and dress sense says it all. I thought I will be the brave one and I'll go buy the orange Nike Mercurial boots. Everyone has got the blue and black ones so I went for the orange ones. They've got red ones too so I'll be getting a pair of them next. Hopefully they will get a few goals as I love scoring and winning. We have to keep winning to get up that table. There are a few tough games coming up against teams up the top and down the bottom, but with the players we have got, we can get the points we need to stay up." Gillingham

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Ealing Gazette/Yann Tear - Paying for poor start
GARETH Ainsworth is convinced promotion would have been clinched this year if Rangers had played all season as they are now.
The Rs threw away two points at Wolves on Saturday by conceding an injury time goal and the away form is still unpredictable.
But the QPR winger says the quality of the play and the progress made since December when the club were bottom of the Championship leaves him in no doubt.
"Without a doubt we'd be up there if we'd started the season the way we are finishing it," Ainsworth told the Gazette.
"It's tough to think of the first nine or 10 games of the season and where we could have been. We could easily have been challenging for those automatic promotion places.
"The only difference between teams now is the start made by some of the others. They picked up points and we failed to pick up points.
"But it's fantastic to have the backing we've got now. The money troubles are well behind us and now it's all about football troubles, which is how it should be."
Ainsworth was at Loftus Road this week to witness the announcement of a new fiveyear £20m deal with Italian sportswear form Lotto.
And Ainsworth, who aims to be involved with the club in a coaching capacity next year as well as on the playing side in the final year of his contract, is excited at the latest sign of Rangers' robust financial health.
"It's amazing the rollercoaster we've been through in the five or six years I've been at the club," he said.
"It's really a pinch-yourself day today.
"It fills me with pride and will hopefully fill every QPR player with pride. We are not just a Premier League club being taken over, we're doing things from a grass-roots Championship level and we're going to try and work our way up.
"We're not going to chuck money away on stupid signings and hopefully we can work on a greater structure and have a great youth system that sees us challenge in the Premier League in a few years.
"I've been asked to help out on the coaching side. That's come quite naturally as I already help out with motivation in the dressing room and instructions on the pitch and I want to keep involved in some capacity."
The bigger picture will help Ainsworth get over the slight disappointment of a lost opportunity to claim a fifth away win of the season.
"It's déjà vu with a lot of games away from home, especially with the last minute goal we conceded," he said.
"It's something we're working on and we'll probably get right next year.
"At least we've got the rest of the season now to work on it. We're safe more or less. With 52 points it would be shocking to go down.
"Maybe we need to improve on fitness a little bit, but we've had promotion form at home and if we can slightly tweak the away form, I don't think we will be too far away."
Ainsworth added: "At least we are entertaining and some of the quality of the goals are different class.
"They haven't been lucky ricochets or anything like that, they've actually been well worked goals with a variety of long shots, close range passes and crosses.
"We've got the full lot and it's looking really good.
"We've got another big test this week at Ipswich, who are really on a roll and have the best home record in the division.
"They're sneaking up there without anyone really noticing but they were a Premier League side not so long ago and they've definitely got the credentials to be there."
Ealing Gazette


QPR OFFICIAL SITE - GIFT OF THE GAZ
Club Captain Gareth Ainsworth has encouraged his R's team-mates to end the season on a high.
Rangers visit top-six candidates Ipswich Town in the Championship on Saturday afternoon knowing only victory will keep their own feint play-off dreams alive.
And Ainsworth believes a positive finish to the season will pay huge dividends when the new campaign kicks off in August.
"It's essential that we finish the season on the front foot, so we head into the new campaign on a high," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"It's funny really - every Saturday afternoon, the lads are saying 'what if we'd won there, what if we'd held on in that one.'
"It's such a tight division and any sort of positive run of results can do your league position the power of good, but the target remains to take each game as it comes.
"Our aim is to get three more points on the board at Ipswich on Saturday and we'll see where that takes. QPR

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Football League's League Leader - Lotto cash will generate success on and off pitch

QPR’s Community team have hit a Lotto-style jackpot thanks to the club’s new sponsorship deal.
The Hoops have secured a £20m kit contract from the Italian sportswear firm over the next five years.
Part of the agreement will ensure a substantial investment is made towards Rangers’ Community Scheme.
The club will now have state of-the-art Lotto equipment for the projects they run throughout west London.
Lotto Sport Italia president Andrea Tomat made the announcement at Loftus Road alongside QPR Holdings Limited chairman Flavio Briatore and vice-chairman Amit Bhatia.
Community Manager Andy Evans said: “This is very exciting. It will give us the
opportunity to further enhance our scheme and benefit children in our area.
“Funding has been difficult for us in the past, but it is fantastic to have improved facilities and equipment thanks to the new Lotto sponsorship package.
“Our aim at QPR is to reach out to people and help them to a better way of life. This investment certainly helps.”
The Inspire project will benefit most from the new deal. The club have been encouraging school children to improve their academic work by offering the Inspire incentive of free match tickets.
Kids get coaching before lessons begin, and gain a point for every maths, English and science lesson they attend. Top scorers will be welcomed on to the pitch at Loftus Road before the Charlton game in April. They will also receive free Lotto gear.
Evans added: “There has been a great increase in attendances since we introduced the Inspire project and the children are more enthusiastic about school than ever before.”
Briatore and Formula 1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone have raised the profile of QPR since they became jointowners last November.
[Photo: LOT OF FUN: QPR owner Briatore with Lotto’s Andrea Tomat (left) and Amit Bhatia ] Football League League Leader

Also:
Ealing Gazette/Yann Tear - We won't destroy things that make Rs special

THE NEW owners of QPR have pledged to safeguard the identity of the club - even though they want to transform it into a club of Premier League standing.

Fans will be eager for reassurances that the potentially exciting times ahead for their club and the understandable ambitions of the men who saved the club from debt, do not mean a gradual erosion of everything they value about life at Loftus Road.

That includes the club's name, location and even the famous blue and white hooped shirts - all aspects of the club which are non-negotiable in the eyes of even the most casual of supporters.

Both Flavio Briatore and Amit Bhatia - respectively chairman and vice-chairman of QPR Holdings - claim supporters had nothing to fear.

"The most important thing for us is that we maintain what is quintessentially QPR," said Bhatia on the day the club announced an unprecedented five-year kit sponsorship deal worth £20m with sportswear manufacturers Lotto Sport Italia.

"We want to keep the club's identity intact and the fans have nothing at all to be worried about. They should be excited like we are.

"I most definitely hope the Rangers of the future is one the fans would recognise."

Bhatia, the son-in-law of billionaire steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, whose almost limitless resources led to Rangers being dubbed 'the richest club in the world' added: "What attracted us to

QPR is everything about it's identity and I don't see any benefit in trying to change it. There's a history behind this club and why damage that?


"When the stadium becomes a concern, we will address it but it's really not a concern now. We love the area, I love the stadium.

"We don't want to move and if we have to move in the future, we'd want it to be in the vicinity." [25a0] Cont page 63

Briatore said: "We want to stay in this area. This is very important. For respect to the fans. We want to be 15 minutes from London. This is the big plus of QPR.

"We don't know where the club is going yet. We are just trying to go step by step. Our goal now is just to stay in the Championship. I'm sure next year we will try to improve.

"We want to consolidate the club and create a good base in the sports side and in the marketing and commercial side."

Briatore this week gave more insight into his vision for Rangers and why he opted for a club in a lower rather than top division.

"Everybody asks me 'Why did you buy QPR?' I say it's because you want to start from the bottom and create a new club," he said.

"This is much more more exciting. This is a good adventure, starting at the bottom to build up a good football club."

"QPR was a good deal," he added, saying he was a fan of English football because it was "not an excuse to fight" as it often is in his native Italy and was enjoyed by children and families.

"It's a club in the centre of London. The location of the stadium is the best location.

"QPR have a nice story behind them and it's a club with a lot of potential.

"We are a bunch of friends together who want to do something in football and we want to start from this kind of division."

Briatore refused to be drawn on type of player he wants at the club or have their eyes on and agreed with Bhatia's assessment that: "We're very happy with what we have now."

"Gigi has done a fantastic job in the last three months," the Italian said. "The club is alive. We play good football and the fans love it. We play some of the best football in this league and this is recognised by everybody."

Sport is complicated, with luck involved, Briatore said.

"Nothing is guaranteed, but we will try to do the best as possible.

"We will not throw away money. We are talking about QPR, we're not talking about Chelsea. It's completely wrong to compare the clubs. We want to do it our way.

"Whenever somebody arrives in a new business, people think this is the new blood to suck, but there is nothing to suck here."

Rangers' deal with Lotto looks like it may be followed by shirt deals and other sponsorship tie-ups. Kingfisher - the Indian lager brand - is one expected soon, although Briatore denies it for now.

The cash will help lay the foundations for promotion next season and may even be used to re-establish a youth academy.

The club lost its set-up a few years ago and it would cost at least £1m to set up the facilities and coaching staff for such a project. But talks are apparently in progress.

"The aim is to bring this club back to the heights of the past and even beyond that," said Lotto president Andrea Tomat.

"It's an important investment for our company, but we know the plans for the club are to go to the highest possible levels and I believe the strengths of the people involved will certainly provide that." Ealing Gazette

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Mail/This is London - Wolves will take no action over Paladini
Wolves have decided not to lodge a formal complaint with the Football League after QPR's Gianni Paladini was involved in a bizarre clash with Mick McCarthy following their draw last week.
The QPR chairman was involved in a fierce exchange with the bemused Molineux boss after Andy Keogh's late goal salvaged a point for the hosts.
Paladini was incensed at the amount of time being added on for injuries and raced down to the dressing-room area at the final whistle where he confronted the Yorkshireman.
A Wolves source said: 'There's no suggestion of us complaining to anyone.'
Paladini claimed he was pushed away by McCarthy, who later apologised because he did not recognise him. Mail

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UPDATE:

QPR OFFICIAL STATEMENT on DEATH OF RAY DRINKWATER
RAY DRINKWATER - It is with great sadness that the Club has learned of the death of former player, Ray Drinkwater. He was 76.
Ray joined QPR in 1957, following a short time with Portsmouth.
The talented goalkeeper made more than 200 appearances for the R's during a six-year stay, before going on to finish his career with Southern League team Bath City.
He died on Tuesday, following a brief illness.
The thoughts of the Club are with his wife Brenda, family and friends at this difficult time. QPR


Football and cricket star Drinkwater dies, aged 76
A FORMER Guildford City footballer who went on to play for Queens Park Rangers has died at the age of 76.
Ray Drinkwater was spotted as a goalkeeper playing for local side Northway, his family having moved south from Jarrow in Northumberland.
Drinkwater made his Southern League debut for City against Chelmsford in 1951, and played 109 times in all before he was bought by Portsmouth for £2,000.
He only made eight appearances for the Fratton Park club, then playing in the old Football League first division.
His switch to QPR came in 1958 and he stayed for five years, making 214 appearances at the start of Alec Stock’s highly successful reign. The club were in Division Three then, on the verge of some golden years.
Drinkwater - born in May 1931 - finished his playing days with a switch to Southern League side Bath City, as a favour for Malcolm Allison as he took his early steps in management.
He was also a dashing all-rounder for Ripley Cricket Club over two decades.
Teammate and friend Guy Pullen remembered: “Ray was a brilliant slip catcher, a good first-change bowler and hit the ball incredibly hard. He won a Flora Doris Cup game for us in the dark at Farncombe and kept putting Arthur Balchin in to the houses across the road.”
Drinkwater leaves behind his wife Brenda plus a son and daughter.
You can leave a tribute to Ray Drinkwater by clicking here. Surrey Advertiser

Brief Wikipedia/Drinkwater

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South London Press- Success touched by tragedy

JOE Gallen's leadership at youth level has been a big factor in QPR's recent success.

He brought 15 centre of excellence graduates into the first team, and coached two England internationals.

They also won their youth league. In Dean Parrett, his set-up also produced one of the most promising midfielders of his generation, signed by Spurs for £2million last season.

"We were skint every year but we were the envy of many academies," said Gallen.

"I am glad now the club has new owners, that there's some money there at last."

But Gallen also had to cope with a season of trauma - the death of two scholars, which saw four of his youth products being questioned over a tragic accident.

In June 2005, QPR youngster Kiyan Prince, 15, was been stabbed to death outside his school.

And when a Vietnamese student died under a train at Earls Court station in December 2006, youth player Harry Smart was also badly hurt.

Smart, 17, was reported to have been play-fighting on a team-mate's shoulders when he fell during the rush-hour on November 23, taking Tu Quang Hoang Vu, 25, who later died, with him. Smart's friends were questioned over the death.

Ray Jones, 18, had already played 37 times for the first team and scored six goals when he died in a car crash in August 2007. Gallen said: "It was a very difficult time because I was close to all those players and their families."
South London Press

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In the non-QPR arena....

Ecclestone denies Briatore to succeed him
Bernie Ecclestone has played down speculation that he has lined up Flavio Briatore as his preferred successor as F1 chief executive.
The 77-year-old is close friends with Italian Briatore, who entered formula one team management in the late 80s and is still boss of the Renault outfit.
Ecclestone and Briatore, 57, also recently went into business, with ownership of the London football club Queens Park Rangers. But Briton Ecclestone, albeit with no intention of retiring, doubts that one man will be able to replace him.
"And I don't think he is even interested in this job; he has different priorities than me," Bernie, referring to Briatore, told FHM magazine in Spain.
Also in the interview, Ecclestone branded F1's current world champion Kimi Räikkönen as "completely the opposite" of 2008 challenger Lewis Hamilton....
Source: GMM - MSN News


Another Ecclestone ally says no to supremo job
Another potential successor to F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has counted himself out of the running for the job.
Shortly after Flavio Briatore denied the possibility of replacing 77-year-old Ecclestone when he decides to step down, another of the Briton's closest friends and business partners also played down speculation that he might run formula one in the future.
Alejandro Agag co-owns a GP2 team, is involved in Ecclestone and Briatore's Queens Park Rangers foray, and controls the television rights to formula one in Spain.
But he told Spanish radio Cadena SER: "I see no possibility of replacing Ecclestone, and nor would I fit his shoes.
"I see him as a genius. He turned a group of friends into a true global spectacle that occurs every two weeks," Agag praised.
Some observers and experts, however, insist that Agag, 37, would make a good successor for Ecclestone, also pointing to his experience in the world of politics.
He says Briatore advised him to buy the Spanish TV rights, before 'Alonso-mania' kicked off.
"Nobody wanted them, but Flavio had a blind faith in Fernando and assured me that F1 is going to work in Spain," Agag explains.
He even plays down the media tale about the discord between Briatore and McLaren boss Ron Dennis, recalling a dinner at the recent Malaysian grand prix that was attended by both team chiefs.
Agag says the pair share a "cordial hatred".
Source: GMM - MSN

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A general comparison of QPR this season and last - QPR 2007/06 vs 2007/08


In 2007/08 QPR's Disciplinary record Compared to other Championship Clubs (QPR rank near the worst with 74 Yellow and 4 Red, Thus Far) - Disciplinary Record - by club


Individual Players With Worst Disciplinary Record in Championship (QPR's Mikele Leigertwood and Martin Rowlands make the list) - "Baddest" Players

[QPR's disciplinary record last year was far worse: 105 Yellows; 3 Reds) - QPR Disciplinary Record in 2006/07


Players used QPR, with 37 players used, are second only to Leicester in number of players used this season. Players Used per club

(Last season QPR used 35 players) QPR Players Used in 2006/07


Club Attendances: QPR Rank in the bottom Third in Attendance, with an average of just over 13,500 - Club Attendance

[With obviously three games remaining, QPR's attendance is still UP from last season, when it averaged just over 12,900. 2006/07 attendance]


Leading Scorers - Leading Scorers

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Dominic Shimmin had only been at Crawley a couple of months. [See February "Dominic Shimmin Joins Crawley" and Shimmin's QPR Background

Crawley Official Site - Crawley Town Football Club announces the departures of Dominic Shimmin and Kevin James from the club.
Both players have agreed their releases from the club and leave the Broadfield Stadium with immediate affect.
Shimmin endured a frustrating period since joining the club from Queens Park Rangers at the start of February. Injuries restricted the defender to just two starts for the club.
James joined the club during the January transfer window from league rivals Woking. He scored on his full debut against his former club, making in total 13 appearances for the club, scoring twice.
All connected with Crawley Town Football Club would like to thank both players for their efforts and wish them all the best in their future endeavours. Crawley

Crawley Observer - James and Shimmin leave Reds
DEFENDER Dominic Shimmin and midfielder Kevin James have left Crawley Town with immediate effect.
James signed from Woking in January making 13 appearances for the club and scoring two goals.
No reason has been given to his departure.
It was a frustrating period for defender Dominic Shimmin who started just two games due to injuries after joining from QPR in February.
See reaction to this on the website tomorrow morning. Crawley Observer

Bishop Stortford Citizen - Drectors pay tribute to Cunningham
DIRECTORS at Harlow Town Football Club have paid tribute to Tommy Cunningham, who took the decision to resign as the club's Director of Football last week.
Cunningham, who joined the Hawks in July 2003 as first team manager, came to the decision for personal reasons, and will now concentrate on his sports management work.
Vice-Chairman Simon Morgan said: "Obviously I'm very disappointed that Tommy has come to this decision, but he believes that this is the right thing to do at this time.
"Tommy's help and support has been invaluable to the club, and we wish him every success in the future.
"I'm pleased that he will still be there to speak to if we need any more advice or help in the months to come."
Cunningham took charge of his first game at Harlow on August 16, 2003 at home to Waltham Forest in division one east of the Southern League.
The former Chelsea and QPR defender moved upstairs to director level at the club in November 2006, when he passed on the first team manager's reigns to Ryan Kirby.
It has been through Cunningham's connections that Harlow have been able to lay their hands on several talented young prospects in the game, including the recent work experience signings from Southend United and Leyton Orient.
During his tenure as Director of Football, Cunningham saw the Hawks gain propmotion to the Ryman Premeir Division for the first time in 23 years.
His resignation takes immediate effect, with Ryan Kirby now tasked with overseeing all footballing matters.
Other administrative tasks previously carried out by Cunningham have been undertaken by Morgan.
"It is important to realise that Tommy's decision will not have a detrimental effect on the playing staff at the club," Morgan pointed out.
"We are more than happy with the direction Tommy has taken Harlow Town in, and we will look to build on this in the future." Bishops Stortford Citizen

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Championship Relegation: Past Seasons Points Total For Three Relegated Teams, over Past Decade-
[For Championship, "Division One" as it used to be called; and of course Division Two is what is really is!]

2007-2008: [QPR currently have 52 points from 40 games. (QPR ended last season with 53 points from 46 games).]
Current Table:
Southampton 40 46
Coventry 39 45
Leicester 40 44
Sheff Wed 38 44
Scunthorpe 40 38
Colchester 40 33 Current Championship Table


PREVIOUS SEASONS

2006/2007
Queens Park Rangers 46 14 11 21 54 68 53
Leicester City 46 13 14 19 49 64 53
Barnsley 46 15 5 26 53 85 50
Hull City 46 13 10 23 51 67 49
Southend United 46 10 12 24 47 80 42
Luton Town 46 10 10 26 53 81 40
Leeds United 46 13 7 26 46 72 36

2005/2006
Queens Park Rangers 46 12 14 20 50 65 50
Crewe Alexandra 46 9 15 22 57 86 42
Millwall 46 8 16 22 35 62 40
Brighton & Hove Albion 46 7 17 22 39 71 38

2004-2005
Crewe Alexandra 46 12 14 20 66 86 50
Gillingham 46 12 14 20 45 66 50
Nottingham Forest 46 9 17 20 42 66 44
Rotherham United 46 5 14 27 35 69 29

2003-2004
Gillingham 46 14 9 23 48 67 51
Walsall 46 13 12 21 45 65 51
Bradford City 46 10 6 30 38 69 36
Wimbledon 46 8 5 33 41 89 29

2002/2003
Stoke City 46 12 14 20 45 69 50
Sheffield Wednesday 46 10 16 20 56 73 46
Brighton & Hove Albion 46 11 12 23 49 67 45
Grimsby Town 46 9 12 25 48 85 39

2001/02
Sheffield Wednesday 46 12 14 20 49 71 50
Rotherham United 46 10 19 17 52 66 49
Crewe Alexandra 46 12 13 21 47 76 49
Barnsley 46 11 15 20 59 86 48
Stockport County 46 6 8 32 42

2000/2001
Crystal Palace 46 12 13 21 57 70 49
Huddersfield Town 46 11 15 20 48 57 48
Queens Park Rangers 46 7 19 20 45 75 40
Tranmere Rovers 46 9 11 26 46 77 38

1999/2000
West Bromwich Albion 46 10 19 17 43 60 49
Walsall 46 11 13 22 52 77 46
Port Vale 46 7 15 24 48 69 36
Swindon Town 46 8 12 26 38 77 36

1998/1999
Portsmouth 46 11 14 21 57 73 47
Queens Park Rangers 46 12 11 23 52 61 47
Port Vale 46 13 8 25 45 75 47
Bury 46 10 17 19 35 60 47
Oxford United 46 10 14 22 48 71 44
Bristol City 46 9 15 22 57 80 42

1997/1998
Queens Park Rangers 46 10 19 17 51 63 49
Manchester City 46 12 12 22 56 57 48
Stoke City 46 11 13 22 44 74 46
Reading 46 11 9 26 39 78 42

1996/1997
Bradford City 46 12 12 22 47 72 48
Grimsby Town 46 11 13 22 60 81 46
Oldham Athletic 46 10 13 23 51 66 43
Southend United 46 8 15 23 42 86 39

Final Tables

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For anyone interested: The Lotto Sports website

The QPR/Lotto Sports Shirt Announcement posted is the same as the statement on the Official QPR Site.

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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Mancienne Talking About Promotion, Wolves Games and His Future
"....The right-back, who has been on loan from Chelsea all season, confirmed once again that no decision has yet been taken on whether he might make a permanent move to Loftus Road in the summer.
He said: "I haven't heard anything at the moment, I just get on with my own game and try and do as well as I can." Kilburn Times


Gareth Ainsworth/Kilburn Times - on Wolves Game, Ipswich Game, and Dissent
"....He also pointed out that the referee had a different angle. There's no doubt that referees are an integral part of the game and they can make or break a season.
Referees have been a bit of a talking point over the last week or so and I have to say I don't like referees who seem to enjoy the limelight and become minor celebrities.
Fifteen years ago, most people would probably have struggled to name many refs at all - now there are 10 or 15 who are very well-known and that's not really what the game's about.
But I also think there's no excuse for a player getting booked for dissent. That's a sign of weakness, not passion.
In nearly 20 years playing football I've never seen a referee change his mind - even if he knows he's wrong, he's not going to admit he made a mistake.
So you have to keep it in mind that you might be up against a 12th man and sometimes the decisions go against you, which should make you more determined to work even harder.... Kilburn Times


Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Hogan hopes for swift return
Kilburn Times

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Next step: League Manager!

South London Press/Toby Porter - Former youth team coach steps into assistant's post


MILLWALL'S new assistant boss is Joe Gallen.

The former QPR youth coach has stepped into the job just five months after joining the Lions in the same role.

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett, who worked with Gallen at Loftus Road, has also revealed veteran defender Richard Shaw is to fill Gallen's previous job of reserve-team boss.

Jackett said: "Joe is a very good coach on the field and has a good way with the players."

Gallen stepped up from youth-team coach to reserve coach in December.

The brother of former QPR striker Kevin won seven caps with the Republic of Ireland's U21 team while a player at Shamrock Rovers.

Gallen's appointment follows just a week after Colin West was told he would not be Jackett's assistant next season.

A meeting later this week will decide if West stays at The Den in another role or leaves.

Gallen played at Watford as a young striker and at Exeter and Shrewsbury but retired at the age of 25 when a persistent back problem, which had been operated on, started causing pain in his hamstring.

He was involved in coaching at every level at Loftus Road from U9 to the first team and has a sports science degree from Elephant & Castle's South Bank University.

He was assistant boss at Exeter City under Paul Tisdale until Jackett asked him to come to The Den in November.

Gallen, 35, said: "This club's potential is huge because of the size of its fan base.

"We are looking forward to producing a team which those fans enjoy watching and which can eventually push for promotion. I hope I bring a lot of experience and enthusiasm to the role -and I am not shy of speaking my mind.

"My task will be to mentor some of our young players - which involves stressing their strengths to them, as much as working on their weaknesses."

Jackett said of Shaw's role: "Richard will, where necessary, still be training with the squad and also playing if we need him...." South London

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At England U-21 level, QPR's season-long loan from Chelsea, Michael Mancienne played the entire game against Poland.


QPR's former loan from Chelsea, Scott Sinclair apparently played well as the England U-19s defeated Russia 3-1. "Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair and Reading's James Henry were in particularly dazzling form as the Russians were completely outclassed throughout....Sinclair terrorising the Russian defence on numerous occasions...- FA Report


Dean Parett who left for Spurs just over a year ago, played for England U-17s as they drew 1-1 against France in Tel Aviv. FA Report


[And tonight, ex-QPR youth (briefly), Rio Ferdinand captains England!

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Almost every news report of the event adds a little additional snippet of information about what said or what is planned.

The Times/Kaveh Solhekol

QPR billionaires will not jump through hoops for agents in bid for success Flavio Briatore did not become a billionaire by throwing his money away and the co-owner of Queens Park Rangers has warned agents that he will not be taken for a ride as he tries to transform the fortunes of the Coca-Cola Championship club.

Speaking at the launch of QPR’s new £20 million, five-year kit deal with Lotto, the Italian manufacturer, Briatore, who is also the managing director of the Renault Formula One team, dismissed rumours that the West London side wanted to sign superstar players such as Luis Figo, the Inter Milan winger and former Portugal captain. “Figo is a fantasy,” Briatore said. “There are lots of rumours in English football - it is even worse than Formula One.”

Briatore bought QPR last November with Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal, two of the richest men in the UK, and the billionaires want to reach the promised land of the Barclays Premier League without lining the pockets of agents.

“Everybody thinks that new people have come in and they can suck our blood, but we have no blood,” Briatore said. “There is nothing to suck here. There is no blood in my body. Just because the shareholders are wealthy, it does not mean that the club is wealthy.”

QPR were in the relegation zone when Briatore and Co arrived at Loftus Road, but they have climbed the table steadily since the appointment of Luigi De Canio and the Italian first-team coach will be given about £10 million to spend on new players in the summer. “We have wish list of who we want, but we won’t be discussing it in public. If I tell you who we want to buy, the price will become ten times bigger,” Briatore said. “We don’t want fantasy players, we need players who will work hard and players who share the same motivations as the shareholders of the club.” Despite being a friend of Roman Abramovich, the billionaire owner of Chelsea, Briatore will not be following the Russian’s lead in the transfer market. Prudence is the watchword at Shepherds Bush. “It is completely wrong to compare QPR with Chelsea,” Briatore said. “Chelsea are Chelsea and QPR are QPR. We will not be throwing our money away.”

Briatore wants his club to be playing in the Champions League in five years and to do so the Italian has accepted that the club will need to move away from their home in West London. Several sites in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham are being considered. “At the moment we are facing a problem with the stadium, but we have to change things little by little,” Briatore said. “If you want to build a tower, you have to build it on strong foundations. You cannot build a tower on sand.”

The future of QPR appears to be a lot brighter than Briatore’s Formula One team. Renault have been off the pace in this season’s opening two grands prix and Fernando Alonso, the former world champion from Spain, said yesterday that he may leave the team and join Ferrari next season. “Sport is not easy, it is very complicated,” Briatore said. “It is about the people you put together, it is about luck. You need a lot ingredients to be successful. We will just try to do our best.” The Times


The Guardian/Mike McGrath - QPR sign £20m sponsorship deal

Queens Park Rangers have landed a £20m kit sponsorship deal with the Italian sportswear firm Lotto to add to their new wealth but Flavio Briatore insists the club will not be held to ransom despite their war chest. Briatore believes the five-year deal will help to build a foundation for success in the future although the co-owner is also wary of radical changes.
Should there be a need for a bigger stadium, Briatore wants the club to stay in west London. In the short term, the Championship club are looking for the right transfer targets rather than high-profile signings.
We are not going to throw away money at all," Briatore said. "We [will] try to put the club together in the right way and what we have done now is a demonstration of that. We are not the new blood of football. QPR is QPR, Chelsea are Chelsea - we will do it our way.
"If we say which players we want, the price is 10 times bigger. When somebody arrives in the business people say that it is new blood to suck. There is nothing to suck here. We don't have blood."

Briatore, who runs the Renault grand prix team, owns QPR with the formula one rights owner, Bernie Ecclestone, and the steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal. Their investment has seen the club linked with a host of players. "We have a wish list," said Amit Bhatia, QPR Holdings' vice-chairman.

Ecclestone considered nearby Chelsea before Roman Abramovich took over but Briatore did not want to make comparisons between the clubs. Abramovich brought almost instant success to Stamford Bridge but Briatore says he is merely looking to build foundations.

"We want to consolidate the club and create a base," he said. "This year our goal is to stay in the Championship. We need to do it step by step. We want to build up a club. You want to start from the bottom and create a new club, this is exciting. It's a new adventure. It is a club in the middle of London, probably the best location in the city. The club has a story behind it and a lot of potential, as we've seen already." Guardian


FINANCIAL TIMES - Lotto Sport Italia deal makes QPR continental
By Roger Blitz, Leisure Industries Correspondent

Queen Park Rangers' unlikely connections with international wealth and glamour continued apace with the announcement that Lotto Sport Italia would become kit supplier of the mid-table Football League Championship team in a deal worth £20m ($40m).

The once high-flying west London side attracted attention in November when it was taken over by Flavio Briatore, owner of the Renault F1 team, and Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One Management's chief executive.

After clearing a £13m debt, they added to the club's new-found lustre by attracting investment from Lakshmi Mittal, the billionaire steel magnate, and have now persuaded one of Italy's biggest sports clothing retailers to join the party.

Lotto Sport Italia will provide new kits and training gear and develop fashionable QPR-branded shoes and clothes. The value of the deal, over five years, is dependent on QPR gaining promotion to the Premier League.

Amit Bhatia, vice-charman and Mr Mittal's son-in-law, said the QPR board hoped this would be the first of several deals and that it would attract attention from other corporations.

"We are dedicated to try and make this team a success," Mr Bhatia said. "We have a really solid base of young players."

The vice-chairman sought to disabuse QPR supporters of the assumption that the club's high-profile and wealthy owners would throw money at the team in an attempt to catapult it back into the elite of English football.

"The reality is the opposite. The idea is to be very prudent, not to throw money at the club but to spend wisely," he said. "The shareholders are successful people and they became successful by spending wisely and prudently."

Mr Bhatia added that their aims were neither to lose money running the club nor to profit extensively from it.

"You have to have a nice balance," Mr Bhatia explained.

"Everybody involved loves their football and is a fan first. But do we think QPR has potential? Absolutely." Financial Times


The TELEGRAPH/Mike McGrath - Queens Park Rangers' £20 million deal

Queens Park Rangers have announced a £20 million deal with kit manufacturers Lotto Sport to add to their new wealth - but co-owner Flavio Briatore said the club would not be held to ransom in the transfer market.

Briatore said the five-year deal is part of building a foundation for success in the future, and added that, should there be a need for a bigger stadium, he wanted the club to stay in the same area of west London. In the short term, the club are looking for the right transfer targets rather than high-profile signings.

advertisement"We are not going to throw away money at all," he said. "We are trying to put the club together in the right way and what we have done now is a demonstration of that. We are not the new blood of football. QPR are QPR, Chelsea are Chelsea - we will do it our way."

Briatore owns QPR with Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone and steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal - with the new investment leading to the club being linked with a host of players.

"This year our goal is to stay in the Championship. You need to do it step by step. You want to start from the bottom and create a new club, this is exciting. It's a new adventure." Telegraph


This is London/Daily Mail - What a Lotto QPR have got as they cook up a tasty dish

Such is the showbiz buzz around Queens Park Rangers these days that the mere sight of co-owner Flavio Briatore jetting into London from the Malaysian Grand Prix can generate its own micro-climate of rumours.

He arrived in a blizzard, and the word was that the new owners were thinking of changing the club's name to West London Rangers, wanted to build a new stadium, design a new badge and abandon the traditional blue and white hoops.

Playboy: Briatore and vice-chairman Amit Bhatia

Briatore swept into Loftus Road looking every inch the international playboy: suntanned, luxuriantly coiffured, wearing blue-lensed spectacles and a cashmere scarf tucked inside his upturned collar.

He was here to announce a new £20million, five-year kit deal not with Versace but with Italian firm Lotto. There will not be a Roman chariot embroidered into the sleeve and, to the disappointment of sports photographers, it was not about to be super-modelled by Naomi Campbell.

Lotto insist the hoops will remain. In fact, to the relief of those Rangers supporters convinced this is all too good to be true and there simply has to be a catch, there were no terrifying rebranding schemes in the air.

'A new name?' laughed Briatore, shaking his head. 'Maybe we should call it Oxford,' he added, laughing again at his own joke, which no one else could work out.

Renault's F1 team leader Briatore and the sport's overlord Bernie Ecclestone completed their joint takeover of QPR in November, before quickly selling 20 per cent of the shares to Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, the world's fifth richest man. Between them the trio could dwarf Roman Abramovich's estimated £500m investment in Chelsea without losing much sleep but, yesterday, Briatore was in no mood for fantasy.

'Do not be confused,' said the Italian. 'Although the shareholders are wealthy the club is in a completely different situation, we won't be throwing away money. It is completely wrong to compare QPR to Chelsea. We are doing the thing our way.

'We won't sit here and talk about the players we want to buy because we want to make sure the price is not 10 times bigger. When somebody arrives in a new business, everybody says: “Oh my God, this is the new guy, the new blood to suck”. There's nothing to suck here.'

This is unlikely to extinguish the excitement around Shepherds Bush. The new owners instantly wiped out £13m of debt and bought well in the January transfer window to help new manager Luigi De Canio haul the club up the Championship table.

'When we arrived QPR were not much,' said Briatore. 'We were starting from the beginning. Our first goal was to make sure we weren't relegated. When we took over the club that did not look so easy but the players and Gigi have done a fantastic job.

'The club is alive. QPR is safe. Without us there would be no QPR any more. This is the biggest difference between us being here and not being here. We are 50 per cent safe in mid-table and we are playing good football, some of the best in this league, and the fans love it.

'Everybody asks why we bought QPR. We are a bunch of friends together who want to do something in football and this is the right approach. We wanted to start from the bottom and create a new club. This way it is more exciting.'

The type of glamour-puss friends Briatore and Ecclestone keep will ensure that as many cameras are trained on the directors' box inside Loftus Road as they are on the pitch for the rest of the season.

Then all the attention will be on how Rangers, relegated from the Barclays Premier League in 1996, will behave in the summer transfer market as they equip themselves for an assault on promotion.

'Before I came here I didn't know QPR existed,' said Briatore, who thought he was buying a barbecue restaurant when the business proposition was first put to him by Ecclestone. 'But I was in Kuala Lumpur and three or four people stopped me to talk about QPR. Everybody is talking about QPR.' This is London


MIRROR/Darren Lewis - FLAV: NO RIP-OFF LIKE ROM
Fearless Flavio Briatore yesterday unveiled a new £20million sponsorship deal for QPR then insisted: "I won't get ripped off like Roman Abramovich".

The F1 team owner, who has taken over at Loftus Road with billionaires Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal, refused to say which players the club are targeting to turn them into superpowers. But he said QPR will challenge for the Championship title next season and play in the Premier League the season after that.

"It's between us and our sporting director the players that we are thinking of," said Briatore. "Otherwise when I try to buy players the price becomes 10 times bigger.

"You only have to look at what has happened with Chelsea. We are working to ensure that if we go up we will stay up and not come straight back down."

Since Abramovich took over at Stamford Bridge in 2003, Chelsea have splashed out £17m on Damien Duff then were forced to take a £12m loss on him when he moved to Newcastle for £5m in 2006.

Other players on which they have had to take huge losses include £16.8m striker Hernan Crespo, who left for Inter Milan on a free transfer, and £15m forward Adrian Mutu, who was sacked after failing a drugs test.

But Briatore, who signed a five-year shirt deal with Lotto yesterday, said: "We will not throw any money away. Even though we are wealthy there is no blood to suck. QPR is QPR, Chelsea is Chelsea.

"Next year we will try to improve our position, but right now we want to consolidate the club and provide a good base.

"I chose QPR because the location of the stadium is the best. Its also a club with a lot of potential.

"A few years ago Bernie tried to buy Chelsea and Abramovich paid more for it. So we want to create our own club. It's very exciting. Now we want to build up from the bottom." Mirror


See Also:
- Detailed Reports of Briatore's Comments and Plans
- Also: Other Reports on Sponsorship, Finances and Plans

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Congratulations! (Also in the Football League' Championship Team of the Week: Jamie Cureton and Andy Keogh.) Football League's Championship Team of the Week

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UPDATED

AP - Briatore taking things slowly at QPR even after clinching lucrative sponsorship deal
-Fans of English club Queens Park Rangers are likely to be disappointed if they are expecting Flavio Briatore to splash big money on players to fund a return to the Premier League.
The Renault Formula One team boss took over the struggling League Championship side in November along with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, and announced on Tuesday that the club had negotiated its biggest ever sponsorship deal.
But the 20 million pounds (US$40 million; ?26 million) that Italian sporting goods manufacturer Lotto will pay the club over five years could represent much of the on-field investment for now.
In contrast to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who has spent hundred of millions of pounds on Chelsea in the past five years, Briatore says he plans a much more sustainable future for his west London club.
"We will not throw away money at all,'' Briatore said. "Don't be confused. The club is still the club. We'll try to put the club together in the right way. We're talking about QPR. It's completely wrong to compare QPR with Chelsea. We want to do it our way.
"We want to build up a club. We want to start from the bottom and create a new club. It is much more exciting.''
QPR, which has never been champion of England, has struggled since relegation from the Premier League in 1996, at one point dropping into the third tier for three seasons, and also owed tax to Britain's Inland Revenue.
It was in serious financial trouble when the F1 pair arrived, languishing at the foot of the second tier, but a change of coach and a batch of new players in January has helped lift the club into mid table.
Although the club is just seven points off the promotion playoffs, Briatore insists he is happy to take things slowly and stay in the League Championship for another season.
"When we arrived, QPR was bottom of the table, meaning just this year our goal is staying in the Championship,'' Briatore said. "It is step by step. There will be no miracles. We want to consolidate the club.
"We don't live in fantasy, we deal with reality.''
The reality is that, if QPR wants to compete with more illustrious London clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham in the Premier League like Briatore hopes it will, a move from the 19,148-seat Loftus Road stadium to a bigger arena could be necessary.
Even so, Briatore promised to stay near to QPR's current home in the Shepherd's Bush region of London.
"It's a club in the center of London, maybe the best location of any stadium in London,'' Briatore said. "It is better for the fans that we want to stay in this area. We want to be 15 minutes from London. This is the big plus of QPR.''
And fans have already seen that Briatore's plans for a stable, successful club doesn't mean some money won't be there when coach Luigi Di Canio wants it.
With the family of the richest man in Britain, steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, owning a 20-percent stake in the club and represented on the board by his son-in-law Amit Bhatia, Di Canio acquired eight players in the January transfer window.
"In the January window, there was a lot of action, but what we have now is a base that we're very proud of,'' Bhatia said. "The idea is that we're very happy with what we have now. There are other things potentially, but nothing worth discussing now.''
And Briatore is already seeing the boost his presence has given the team.
"When I go around now, everyone is from QPR,'' Briatore said. "Before, I didn't know QPR existed. I was in Karampur (Pakistan) three days ago, and everybody there asks me about QPR.'' AP


REUTERS - BRIATORE
Former champions Renault can still win grands prix this year despite a difficult start to the Formula One season, team boss Flavio Briatore said on Tuesday.
"I think so, yes, in Barcelona we have the new package and absolutely yes (we can win)," he told Reuters.
Briatore was speaking after announcing a new 20 million pounds ($39.85 million) five-year sponsorship deal with Italian clothing company Lotto for his English Championship (second division) soccer club Queens Park Rangers.....
...Briatore would not be drawn on whether he thought QPR would be in the Premier League before Renault were champions again.
"It's difficult to say because nobody expected Renault to win the championships in 2005 and 2006. I don't know, let's see," he said.....
The team boss is a co-owner of QPR with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Indian steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal.
"Bernie is an incredible asset for QPR and we have fun as well," Briatore said of their partnership.
"In life you need to have fun, but you have fun only if you are successful. I think there is a lot of synergy because we want to be competitive and be the best and this is the same in football as well as Formula One Reuters


Sporting Life/James Pearson - Briatore plays down spending spree
R's supremo says summer plans have not changed
QPR co-owner Flavio Briatore has stated the club's impressive new sponsorship deal will not mean a summer spending spree for Luigi Di Canio.
The West Londoners have struck a five-year sponsorship deal with Lotto Italia that could be worth up to £20million should they win promotion to the Premier League.
Briatore has confirmed QPR will strengthen come the end of the season, although he has hinted it might not be the wholesale changes the media are predicting for the Loftus Road outfit.
"I don't see the sponsorship deal changing our programme," he told Sky Sports News. "We've put a programme together to strengthen the squad, that's independent of the sponsorship.
"Luigi's done a very good job with the players. He's great.
Good job
"I remember when we took over the window was closed. In January we brought so many players together. To amalgamate everybody was not so easy and Luigi's done a good job.
"But credit to the players as well. They've responded as well. Of course we need to improve, but at least we have plenty of time to do that."
Meanwhile, Briatore has put to bed long-standing rumours the club could secure the services of Portuguese legend Luis Figo in the summer.
"Forget it. It's a lot of fantasy. He's good, but there have been a lot of rumours," he concluded. Sky Sports

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UPDATED:

BBC - QPR clinch lucrative new kit deal
QPR have announced a five-year kit sponsorship deal with Lotto Italia that will be worth up to £20m if they win promotion to the Premier League.
The contract will begin at the start of next season and is the most financially rewarding in the club's history.
Flavio Briatore, chairman of QPR Holdings Limited, said: "This is the first significant new partnership for the club since I became involved.
"I am very excited about it and I look forward to working with Lotto." BBC

- QPR OFFICIAL SITE -CLUB STATEMENT: QPR & LOTTO SPORT ITALIA
Queens Park Rangers Football Club are delighted to announce next season's Official Kit Supplier will be Lotto Sport Italia.

The deal could be worth as much as £20 million over five seasons, depending on the success of QPR as the Club embarks on its mission to achieve Premiership football. This represents the most lucrative sponsorship deal in the Club's history.

Lotto Sport Italia will be providing new home and away kits and training wear for the First Team through to the Centre of Excellence, as well as developing additional lines of stylish and fashionable QPR branded clothing and shoes.

The contract also includes a substantial annual investment for the duration of the contract into QPR's "Football In The Community" Scheme, which will assist the department's continued efforts to improve the standard of life for people within the local area.

Andrea Tomat, President of Lotto Sport Italia, said: "We cannot wait to start this new alliance with a team that we feel very close to Lotto. This is an important partnership which will enhance the brand awareness of Lotto not only in the UK but also at international level, thanks to the worldwide media coverage of English football and in particular of Queens Park Rangers and the club's new owners."

"This partnership with QPR will also see both parties develop mutually-beneficial commercial ideas along with new product lines - also for leisure wear - inspired by the team with an unmistakeable Italian touch."

Flavio Briatore, Chairman of QPR Holdings Limited, added: "This is the first significant new partnership for the Club since I became involved, and I am very excited about it. Lotto Sport Italia are the perfect fit as our new Kit Supplier. As a brand, I am certain that their involvement will benefit us on and off the pitch.

"I would personally like to thank Mr Tomat and all at Lotto Sport Italia for their efforts, and I look forward to working with them over the next five years as we aim to achieve our objective of returning QPR to the Premiership.

"I am delighted with the design of the new team strip, which maintains the QPR tradition of blue and white hoops. I know how important it is to the fans that the hoops remain, and that was always going to be the case."

Amit Bhatia, Vice-Chairman of QPR Holdings Limited, said: "We are delighted to be announcing this new partnership. I am confident it will be an important component of our strategy to transform the performance and prospects of the Club.

"We will wear our newly sponsored and newly designed 'Hoops' proudly as we continue to progress towards our goal of promotion. This is a new era for QPR and we are proud to have Lotto as such an important and strategic partner."

The new kit design for next season will be revealed at a later date. QPR


Daily Mail - QPR's numbers come up as they land £20m kit sponsorship with Lotto
Queens Park Rangers have unveiled Italian firm Lotto Sport Italia as the club's new kit sponsor in a £20million deal — one of the most lucrative in Championship football history.
The five-year contract with the Italian clothing giants is Rangers' biggest-ever commercial deal, although the amount is dependent on the club's success
Chairman Flavio Briatore, who took control of QPR last November, said: "This is the first significant new partnership for the club since I became involved and I am very excited about it.
"Lotto Sport Italia are the perfect fit as our new kit supplier. I am certain that their involvement will benefit us on and off the pitch.
"I am delighted with the design of the new team strip, which maintains the QPR tradition of blue and white hoops. I know how important it is to the fans that the hoops remain."
Lotto Sport Italia's arrival will increase the Italian influence at Loftus Road, already epitomised by Briatore and manager Luigi De Canio.
The new contract also includes an annual investment in QPR's "Football In The Community" scheme.
Amit Bhatia, the club's vice chairman, added: "We will wear our newly-sponsored and newly-designed Hoops proudly as we continue to progress towards promotion."
The new kit design for next season will be revealed at a later date. Mail

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UPDATED:

Charlton Reserves 3 QPR Reserves 0

RESERVES LOSE
Posted on: Tue 25 Mar 2008
Rangers' second string lost 3-0 at Charlton this afternoon, succumbing to three first-half goals at the Addicks' Sparrow Lane training ground.

Steve Brown's side began with a 4-3-3 formation, but the Youth Team boss altered things as the hosts created wave after wave of attack.

Once the young reserve side switched to a more orthodox 4-4-2 set-up, it was a far more even contest.

"We started poorly and that's just not good enough for this Football Club," Brown told www.qpr.co.uk. "We have played a lot better this season, and the way we started was disappointing."

On a more positive note, there were some impressive individual displays that stood out for Brown.

"Matt Pickens was once again excellent in goal," he said, "and it was great to see Danny Maguire come on for the last half hour or so, following his lengthy spell on the sidelines."

Brown was also enthused by the performance of Romone Rose, who was forced off in Friday afternoon's Youth Alliance Cup defeat against Colchester United.

"Romone has been struggling recently with illness, but he looked really lively this afternoon," added Brown. "He was a constant threat and I have been really pleased with the progress he is making." QPR


CHARLTON OFFICIAL SITE
Three-sy does it
Charlton's reserves side extended their lead at the top of the Pontin's Holidays Combination League to five points with a comfortable 3-0 win over Queens Park Rangers at the Addicks' Sparrows Lane training ground on Tuesday afternoon.

First-half goals from Rashid Yussuff, Luke Varney and Ben Godfrey were enough to see off an inexperienced Rangers side, who did well to battle back in the second period.

There was also an invaluable 90 minutes for Dean Sinclair, Kelly Youga and Jonathan Fortune, while Varney looked sharp in his 45 minutes after missing the West Bromwich Albion match on Friday with a slight foot injury.

The Addicks, with a great chance of winning the Pontin's Holidays League this season, started well and put the visitors under intense early pressure.

It took only five minutes for Mark Kinsella's men to make their early possession count as Yussuff latched onto a quick throw from Youga before driving a left-foot shot into the top corner of the net. It was the 18-year-old's third goal in his last five reserve outings.

Varney was looking dangerous as he drifted into positions on the left wing and in the 18th minute he got his reward. Yussuff dispossessed Rangers midfielder Billy Coyne and played a precise throughball in front of the striker who saw his first shot saved by Pickens before slamming home the rebound.

Two minutes later and the Addicks were three goals in front. Some silky skills from Danny Uchechi gave him room for a shot and Godfrey was on hand to tap home the striker's scuffed effort as it trickled across goal.

A shell-shocked Rangers could easily have buckled but they managed to restrict the Addicks to a number of long-range efforts.

However, a Godfrey header from a Scott Wagstaff cross was inches away from finding the back of the net just before the half-time whistle.

Varney was replaced at the break with winger Steven Lozano-Calderon, but the half started with Rangers' first shot on target, a scuffed drive from distance by Chris Arthur that failed to trouble Rob Elliot.

There was a bit more fire and passion about Rangers in the second-half and substitute Ramone Rose was booked for a very late tackle on Paulo Monteiro. The striker almost made a more positive impact in the game a few minutes later, but his ball through to Arthur was wasted by the striker, who fired high and wide.

Addicks substitute Lozano-Calderon was seeing plenty off the ball after his introduction and just past the hour mark he came close to scoring a fantastic individual goal. Having skipped past three hooped shirts he clipped a chip over the advancing goalkeeper only to see his shot trickle agonisingly wide of the right-hand post.

Godfrey forced Rangers keeper Pickens into action four minutes later with an angled drive, before Calderon came close again, this time firing over when stretching to connect with a right-wing cross.

There was one further chance for the Addicks to add to the scoreline in the closing minutes when Wagstaff's header was blocked on the line by what looked to be a defender's arm, but the referee waved play-on much to the dismay of the young winger.

Charlton: Elliot; Long, Monteiro (Powell 80), Fortune, Youga; Wagstaff, D Sinclair, Yussuff, Uchechi; Godfrey (Perkins 84), Varney (Lozano-Calderon 46). Subs not used: Lee, Harkin.

Goals: Yussuff 5, Varney 18, Godfrey 20.

QPR: Pickens; Wright (Rose 39), Ford, Harris, Brown; Morgan, O'Brien, Smith (Maguire 54), Coyne; German (Smart 81), Arthur. Subs not used: Crowther, Lawrence.

Booked: Rose. Charlton



CHARLTON OFFICIAL SITE
Trio start for second string
Luke Varney, Jonathan Fortune and Kelly Youga will all play for Charlton's title-chasing reserves against Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday afternoon.
The match was due to take place at The Valley later the same day, but has been switched to take place behind closed doors at the Addicks' Sparrows Lane training ground (2pm). The game is not open to the public....
Charlton: Elliot, Long, Youga, Sinclair, Monteiro, Fortune, Uchechi, Yussuff, Godfrey, Varney, Wagstaff. Subs: Powell, Lee, Harkin, Lozano-Calderon, Perkins.
QPR: Pickens, Wright, Brown, O'Brien, Ford, Harris, Morgan, Smith, German, Arthur, Coyne. Subs: Rose, Crowther, Lawrence, Maguire, Smart.
A full match report will be available on the official website later. Charlton


QPR Official Site - IN RESERVE
In a late change to the original kick-off time, QPR Reserves will now lock horns with Charlton Athletic at 2.00pm this afternoon (Tuesday).
The Pontins Holidays Combination League fixture, which was originally scheduled to kick-off at 7.00pm at The Valley, is now behind closed doors at the Addicks' Training Ground. QPR

QPR Official Site
QPR Reserves: Pickens, Wright, Ford, Harris, Brown, Coyne, O'Brien, Smith, Morgan-Cummings, German, Arthur. Subs: Crowther, Lawrence, Maguire, Smart. QPR

Charlton Official Site Last Week
"Charlton's reserve-team clash with London rivals Queens Park Rangers at The Valley on Tuesday night has been called off. Charlton

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From Formula 1 Q& A with Flavio Briatore

"...Q: Your life seems pretty hectic at the moment, with your time divided between Renault, Queens Park Rangers (QPR) football club, and the Billionaire fashion brand. What’s your secret for managing your time so effectively?
FB: There’s no secret at all. Formula One takes 90 percent of my time. I am not the coach of QPR, I am not the director of QPR, I am not the manager of Billionaire. I have my people - and they all do great jobs..."
Q: Your contract with Renault concludes at the end of the year. Will you stay in Formula One racing?
FB: I don’t waste a thought on it now. I want to see how the season unfolds. I am not looking for a new job - I am happy with the one that I have. The fire of enthusiasm for Formula One is still burning - sometimes stronger, sometimes on a half flame but always burning.
Q: Why a football team? Why not your own Formula One team?
FB: No, that was never an option. I have done F1 teams in the past with Ligier, with Minardi, with Benetton and now with Renault. I am not looking for another challenge in F1. I have done my time with teams.

Complete Interview Formula1

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More re former QPR Holdings Chairman, Antonio Caliendo. As discovered by the very fine QPR Italia fansite, former QPR Chairman Antonio Caliendo, has a blog! "QPR Italia - Ancora Caliendo..." --

Antonio Caliendo's blog: Il Blog di Antonio Caliendo

From a few weeks ago: Blogging Post by Antonio Caliendo writing on QPR: Caliendo sul QPR (MisterFootball di febbraio)

English Web Translation of Caliendo's Post re QPR Caliendo on QPR(MisterFootball February)

Other Caliendo Blog posts are there to read.



See Also: "Former QPR Holdings Chairman, Antonio Caliendo Speaking - re QPR Payments"

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Joe Gallen has reportedly been promoted (again) to be Millwall's Assistant Manager.

South London Press/Toby Porter - Mighty Joe Gallen
MILLWALL’S new assistant boss is Joe Gallen.
The former QPR youth coach has stepped into the job just five months after joining the Lions in the same role.
Millwall manager Kenny Jackett, who worked with Gallen at Loftus Road, has also revealed veteran defender Richard Shaw is to fill Gallen’s previous job of reserve-team boss. Further details in today's South London Press. South London Press

Guardian/Matt Scott - BBC Wales drops Swansea-leaning James
The BBC's last broadcast of an FA Cup semi-final before handing over the rights to Setanta and ITV has been overshadowed by a BBC Wales pundit's outspoken comments putting down Cardiff City.

The Welsh side take on their Championship rivals Barnsley in the second semi-final in 12 days' time but the build-up to what is Cardiff's biggest game in the competition since they won it in 1927 is being dominated by a parochial dispute that has become an embarrassment to the BBC. Leighton James, who won 54 caps for Wales, has been axed "for the foreseeable future" from his regular slot with the BBC's Wales on Saturday programme after writing in his column with the South Wales Evening Post: "To see Cardiff in the final would be hard to take for Swansea fans. So, to be brutally honest, I think I'm behind Barnsley on this one."

The 55-year-old James spent three years with Swansea in the 80s and was referring to the attraction of supporting Simon Davey, Barnsley's Swansea-born manager who also spent three years at the Vetch Field. James is a colourful character who is currently serving a drink-driving ban and he later repeated the opinion on the commercial Real Radio station. The controversial comments were deemed to have undermined his credibility when commenting on Cardiff, leading to him being dropped yesterday.

"By mutual agreement, Leighton James will not be participating in any BBC Wales programmes for the foreseeable future," said a BBC spokeswoman. James could not be contacted yesterday. Guardian


Almost QPR manager, Guidolin has been sacked by Palermo after just a few months (for the fourth time!) - Palermo Sacking
- Guidolin Accepts Sacking Graciously


Short-term QPR loan, Chelsea's Scott Sinclair, turns 19
Sinclair Profile

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Gino Padula signs with Columbus Crew. If he plays, Columbus Crew's first game of the season on Saturday is against Danny Dichio's Toronto FC!

UPDATED March 25: COLUMBUS CREW

Crew sign Argentine defender PadulaLeft-sided veteran, who was with Montpellier in France following seven years in England, brings skill and experience to Crew backline Columbus Crew Media Relations

Padula Photo

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed Argentine left back Gino Padula. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed. Padula will join the Crew upon approval of his P-1 visa work permit.

The 31-year-old Padula trained with the Crew during its recent preseason trip to England and appeared in the club's exhibition match vs. Everton FC on March 7.

"We have been looking for an experienced left back are were able to find one in Gino Padula," said Crew head coach Sigi Schmid. "He is a good technical player with a great deal of experience in the English and French leagues and he adds another veteran presence to our back line."

Padula began his career with Argentine club Atlético River Plate in 1996, before moving to Club Atlético Huracán in 1997. In 1998, he moved to Europe to play for Xerez CD in Spain. Following his time with Xerez, Padula played in English football between 1999 and 2006.

His first club in England was Bristol Rovers, and after a short spell there, he went on to Walsall FC where he appeared in 25 games before joining Wigan Athletic in 2000. Padula saw action in six games, scoring one goal for the Latics, before heading to Queen's Park Rangers in 2002. Padula became a cult figure during his time at Loftus Road, where he scored five goals in 90 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops. After his time with QPR, Padula joined Nottingham Forest in 2005, where he made five appearances with the Reds. He most recently played with Montpellier HSC of the French Ligue 2, where he made seven appearances.

Gino Padula (Pronounced: puh-DOOL-uh)
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 167
Born: July 11, 1976 (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Hometown: Lanús, Argentina
Citizenship: Argentina
Roster Designation: International
Last Team: Montpellier HSC (France)
How Acquired: Signed on March 24, 2008
Professional Experience: CA River Plate, Argentine Primera Division (1996-97); CA Huracán, Primera B Nacional Argentina (1997-98); Xerez CD, Spanish Segunda Division (1998-99); Bristol Rovers FC, English Coca-Cola League One (1999); Walsall FC, English Coca-Cola League One (1999-2000); Wigan Athletic FC, English Coca-Cola League One (2000-01); Queens Park Rangers FC, English Coca-Cola Championship (2002-05); Nottingham Forest FC, English - Columbus Crew


Press Release - Crew Signs Argentine Defender Gino Padula
03/24/08 - Major League Soccer (MLS) Columbus Crew

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed Argentine left back Gino Padula. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed. Padula will join the Crew upon approval of his P-1 visa work permit.

The 31-year-old Padula trained with the Crew during its recent preseason trip to England and appeared in the club's exhibition match vs. Everton FC on March 7.

"We have been looking for an experienced left back are were able to find one in Gino Padula," said Crew head coach Sigi Schmid. "He is a good technical player with a great deal of experience in the English and French leagues and he adds another veteran presence to our back line."

Padula began his career with Argentine club Atl鴩co River Plate in 1996, before moving to Club Atl鴩co Huracᮠin 1997. In 1998, he moved to Europe to play for Xerez CD in Spain. Following his time with Xerez, Padula played in English football between 1999 and 2006.

His first club in England was Bristol Rovers, and after a short spell there, he went on to Walsall FC where he appeared in 25 games before joining Wigan Athletic in 2000. Padula saw action in six games, scoring one goal for the Latics, before heading to Queen's Park Rangers in 2002. Padula became a cult figure during his time at Loftus Road, where he scored five goals in 90 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops. After his time with QPR, Padula joined Nottingham Forest in 2005, where he made five appearances with the Reds. He most recently played with Montpellier HSC of the French Ligue 2, where he made seven appearances.
Our Sports Central

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BBC Crawley Town 0-1 Aldershot
Lewis Chalmers' first goal in six months moved Aldershot 15 points clear at the top of the Blue Square Premier.
Chalmers headed home Ben Harding's inswinging free-kick after six minutes.

Crawley responded well but Jamie Cook's header from Dannie Bulman's free-kick sailed narrowly wide and Kieran Murphy nodded against the post.

A series of good stops by Nikki Bull kept the Shots' in front and they held on despite seeing Scott Davies' penalty saved by Crawley keeper Ashley Bayes. BBC

Aldershot 37 86
Cambridge Ut 38 71

Updated Table

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Congratulations to the club!

QPR Official Site RANGERS RAISE THE BAR -
Queens Park Rangers Football Club are among 32 Clubs from all three divisions of The Football League to attain the new 'Football League Family Excellence Award.'
The Award is presented in recognition of the truly outstanding experience we provide for young fans and families at our ground.
In developing the award, The Football League commissioned an independent assessment of the family experience at all 72 League Clubs during the 2007/08 season through the use of 'mystery shopper' families.
Unbeknown to Clubs, family groups attended matches at each Club and assessed the family experience on offer. This was measured by taking into account levels of service in areas ranging from the ease of purchase of tickets and, helpfulness of stewards to ticket pricing and child protection policies.
In addition to recognising those Clubs that are already providing outstanding family experience, the award also aims to encourage those that have not been successful this time around. Best practice guidance, feedback and training will be available to the remaining Clubs to encourage their efforts and to help them achieve the award next season.
QPR Deputy Managing Director, Ali Russell, expressed his delight at the news, commenting: "As a family Club with extensive family values, we are absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious award from the Football League.
"We have all worked tirelessly to achieve this and credit has to go to both the staff and the QPR supporters, who continue to develop the unique environment that exists at Loftus Road."
The Family Excellence Award forms the latest part of the League's 'Fans of the Future' initiative, its first centrally co-ordinated attendance-building programme. Launched in September 2005, 'Fans of the Future,' supported by E.ON, aims to encourage the next generation of supporters to watch live football at their local League Club.
Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney said: "Through our 'Fans of the Future' initiative we are encouraging the next generation of young fans to watch their local League Club. With some success too, so far more than 500,000 youngsters have attended matches for free during the last two seasons.
"The new 'Football League Family Excellence Award' represents a further step forward for the League in terms of recognising and sharing best practice in this area. Those Clubs receiving the Award will have provided a genuine commitment to attracting and retaining family groups to their matches." QPR

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Mirror/Ian Edwards - GET OFF! GET IN!
Goal-hero Keogh: Fans wanted me subbed but I just couldn't care less Wolves 3 QPR 3
The Wolves striker netted two goals to earn Mick McCarthy's play-off chasers a valuable point after QPR led three times.
If the anti-Keogh fans had their way, he would have been replaced by Freddy Eastwood after missing his first chance inside 30 minutes.
Instead, Keogh rode out the storm to take his goal tally to 10 for the season.
Although the Republic of Ireland striker shrugged off the flak, Wolves have squandered 17 points from the last 10 home games.
And Keogh insisted: "It does not bother me in the slightest. I just keep doing it for myself and the team.
"Maybe you could say it is a measure of how much they want us to succeed and it is just frustration, but it should not be done to anyone.
"They should chant for players on the pitch and when changes get made, they should chant for the players coming on."
Keogh's first attempt, after Akos Buzsaky's 20-yard strike had put Rangers ahead, was dragged horribly wide.
Fans immediately started roaring for 'Freddy' to try and force McCarthy into introducing Eastwood.
But Keogh added: "We don't need any negativity. All I can do is block it out and keep doing my best. "I don't need any of that and neither does anyone else.
"Some of them gave me backing straight away and that was nice, but it would be nice for the whole team to have the full backing of everyone. If you make a mistake, you don't want fans on your back. No one means to make a mistake. It just happens.
"If you miss a chance, you don't want fans shouting for someone else to come on. You don't need that.
"We need them to get behind us. There is a certain section that is negative. It would be a better atmosphere if it was not like that."
Keogh levelled in first-half stoppage time, before ref Clive Oliver awarded two daft penalties. Dexter Blackstock profited from the spot when Neil Collins handled Buzsaky's free-kick.
And Sylvain Ebanks-Blake equalised for Wolves, despite Michael Mancienne's accidental trip on Kevin Foley being outside the area.
Mikele Leigertwood thought he had grabbed a third straight win for Rangers with another 20- yard strike, but Keogh turned the jeers around with a stoppage-time effort.
Rangers boss Luigi de Canio is already looking towards next season - but he has warned fans not to expect cash being thrown around on transfers despite the riches of owners Bernie Ecclestone, Flavio Briatore and Lakshmi Mittal.
De Canio said: "A lot of people are under the illusion that having rich ownership of a club means the team are rich. I can assure you that is a mistake.
"Spending a lot of money on a lot of players will not create something positive.
You should not put a strain on a football club's economy by chasing dreams that are not achievable." Mirror

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"Confirming"messageboard rumours

BBC Gossip "QPR are set to launch their new kit on Tuesday and club owner Flavio Briatore has lined up his supermodel friend Naomi Campbell to show it off. " BBC

Note: Can view the Kingfisher and other Lotto kits : Kingfisher's website and Lotto Kits

The Times
QPR becoming a club of model professionals Queens Park Rangers’ changing face will be underlined tomorrow when Naomi Campbell is expected to parade the club’s kit for next season (Gary Jacob writes). The supermodel will unveil the largest sponsorship deal in the club’s history. Campbell is a friend of Flavio Briatore, the QPR owner.
QPR have made an agreement with Lotto Sport Italia to become kit manufacturer and Kingfisher, the beer company, to sponsor their shirts. The relationships are intertwined. Vijay Mallya is chairman of Kingfisher, which is also an airline. Mallya owns the Force India Formula One team. Briatore is the Renault team principal.
QPR are looking for a location for a new stadium in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. They have considered a site near Wood Lane, now occupied by the BBC, and a ground-share with Fulham or Chelsea has also been mooted. The Times

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BBC - Camp believes he can get better
Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Lee Camp feels there is still room for improvement in his game.
The 23-year-old former England under-21 international made a string of fine saves in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Wolves.
But despite winning man of the match, he told BBC London 94.9: "There were a few things in my game, and last week as well, that I was disappointed with.
"I think the saves are what you get paid to do but one or two minor things have angered me a little bit."
Wolves equalised five minutes into stoppage time through Andy Keogh after Rangers had led on three occasions.
And Camp admits he was surprised at how much time was added on: "Where the referee quite got five minutes from is on a few players minds.
"But you get paid to play until the final whistle. BBC

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For what it's worth, given recent Figo denials: The People "Luis Figo will be offered £75,000 a week to become QPR's superstar summer signing" - From Teamtalk summary


Gary Waddock's Aldershot beat Altrincham 2-1 yesterday and are now 12 points clear - League Table -- Report


Gary Penrice - Turns 44 - March 23, 1964
Signed by Gerry Francis to QPR as a player for 500,000 pounds. Joined up with Holloway at QPR as a coach. Was placed on "Gardening Leave" along with Ian Holloway (and Tim Breacker). Now with Holloway at Leicester Career


Robbie James - (RIP) - Born March 23, 1957
Alan Mullery signed him for QPR in 1984 and he spent three years with QPR. Very sadly, Robbie James died just over a decade ago, at aged 40.Career


News Of The World on Barry Silkman - "Silkmangate:Tapes that Shame Top Agent" News of The World

[Silkman was a QPR player for about a year back in 1981. Silkman was Terry Venables' first QPR Signing after Venables replaced Tommy Docherty. See Silkman Profile

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The Times
Late goal halts QPR
Wolves 3 QPR 3
Wayne Veysey

The football community has been urged to show referees more respect this week, but Clive Oliver did his profession few favours at Molineux yesterday with a terrible performance that even ruffled the smooth feathers of Queens Park Rangers’ dapper manager Luigi de Canio.

Oliver awarded a penalty to each side that De Canio and his Wolves counterpart Mick McCarthy agreed were both fanciful, ignored a far better shout for a spot-kick from Rangers and then gifted Wolves five minutes of added time at the end of a second half that did not feature any interruptions other than four substitutions.

Andy Keogh took advantage by scrambling in his second goal of the game five minutes into that period to level the scores for the third occasion in a thrilling afternoon and give Wolves’ playoff hopes a massive boost.

It was the least the home side deserved for their enterprising display which McCarthy reckoned was the equal of anything they have produced all season, but the normally understated De Canio was unhappy as his side ended the day in 14th place in the Championship, still a distant seven points outside an unlikely playoff berth.
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* B&B hit by rating cut from Moody’s

“Obviously it’s a bit sour to come away from home against a team with more points than us and two of their goals come in injury time in both halves,” he said. “We had some good chances but we wasted them. We know we can play good football and we can play much better than that.”

“I don’t really know where the five minutes came from. As far as I know it’s 30 seconds for a substitution and both of us made two in the second half. There weren’t any injuries, neither of the physios came on the pitch and neither of teams did any time-wasting. But I think the referee should be questioned about more than that.”

Both teams had gone into the game in good form, each boasting a record of just one defeat in their past seven league games Akos Buzsaky opened the scoring with his 10th goal in 24 starts for QPR before Keogh, who had earlier been booed by a section of the home fans, equalised on the stroke of half-time.

Oliver then made two poor penalty decisions, first when the ball struck Neill Collins on the shoulder and then when Matt Jarvis was impeded by Michael Mancienne outside the box.

Dexter Blackstock and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake both converted the spot-kicks. Mikele Leigertwood looked to have won the game for the visitors with a 79th-minute pile driver but Keogh had the last say, sparking mass celebrations on the Wolves bench.

“That might well turn out to be the most valuable point we have got all season,” said McCarthy, whose side are now in ninth place, a point outside the playoff positions. “I don't remember when we have played as well as that. That’s as good as we have been.

“We had our chances and we certainly deserved to get level. Our penalty should never have been given but it levelled things off. They got a very good third goal but we kept on fighting and my players showed great character to make it 3-3.”

Star man: Andy Keogh (Wolves)

Player ratings

Wolves: Hennessey 5, Foley 6, Collins 6, Edwards (Craddock 5min, 5), Elakabi 5, Jarvis 7, Alafinjana 6, Henry 6, Gray 7 (Eastwood 58 min, 6), Ebanks-Blake 7, Keogh 8

QPR: Camp 8, Mancienne 5, Connolly 6 (Rehman 58mins, 5), Hall 6, Delaney 6, Buzsaky 7 (Ainsworth 72min), Leigertwood 8, Rowlands 7 (Mahon 30min, 6), Vine 6, Blackstock 7 (Ainsworth 72min), Agyemang 7 Scorers: Wolves:Keogh 44, 90, Ebanks-Blake 64 pen QPR:Buzsaky 28, Blackstock 46 pen, Leigertwood 79 Yellow cards: Wolves:Collins, Jarvis QPR:Mancienne, Delaney, Blackstock - The Times

SUNDAY MIRROR - Football: KEOGH'S GOALS DO TALKING
Ray Matts At Molineux 23/03/2008
WOLVES 3 Keogh 45, 90, Ebanks-Blake (pen) 67
QPR 3 Buzsaky 28, Blackstock (pen) 49, Leigertwood 79
Wolves striker Andy Keogh silenced his critics as he helped rescue a point for his club against QPR yesterday.

Keogh was the target of the Molineux boo-boys in the first half as he missed an opportunity to score. They chanted for crowd favourite Freddy Eastwood to be called on.

But his critics had to eat their words as Keogh scored in injury time at the end of the first half and then again in added time as Wolves salvaged a point which might just help them to make the promotion play-offs.

They were not helped by the erratic decisions of referee Clive Oliver, who awarded a highly controversial penalty against them at the start of the second half but moments later made amends by giving them a spot-kick that never was.

Oliver's opinion that Wolves centre back Neill Collins had deliberately handled a 46thminute free-kick from Akos Buzsaky rather than that the ball accidentally hit the defender astonished everyone.

And Dexter Blackstock thumped his spotkick home.

But in the 65th minute midfielder Matt Jarvis was tripped outside the area by Rangers' Michael Mancienne before collapsing well inside and this time Oliver pointed to the penalty spot for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to level.

Qpr manager Luigi De Canio said: "I could not understand why he gave two penalties. I did not see any.

"And I could not understand why there were almost five minutes of added time at the end of each half either.

"It is a disappointment to take the lead twice and to only get a draw."

Buzsaky gave QPR the lead in the 28th minute with a 20-yard shot low into the corner of the net which was cancelled out by Keogh's first goal.

Then after the two penalties, Rangers went in front when Mikele Leigertwood unleashed a superb right-footed volley in the 79th minute.

But Wolves came roaring back, having several efforts cleared off the line before Keogh rifled a cross-shot just inside the far post.
Manager Mick McCarthy said: "That might be the most valuable point of the season. We played some really good stuff and created plenty of chances."
HOW THEY RATED
WOLVES Hennessy 6, Foley 6 (Kyle 5), Edwards 5 (Craddock 6), Collins 6, Elokobi 6, Jarvis 7, Olofinjana 6, Henry 7, Gray 7 (Eastwood 5), KEOGH 8 Ebanks-Blake 7.
Manager McCarthy 6
QPR Camp 6, Mancienne 6, Connolly 6 (Rehman 5), Hall 6, Delaney 6, Buzsaky 7 (Ainsworth 6), Rowlands 6 (Mahon 6), Liegertwood 6, Vine 6, Agyemang 6, Blackstock 6.
Manager De Canio 6
Referee C Oliver 4
MAN OF THE MATCH ANDY KEOGH Two goals, including dramatic late equaliser. Sunday Mirror

Wolves Official Site - Harsh Decision
Neill Collins was still an angry man after the final whistle despite Wolves taking a point from a dramatic last ditch comeback thanks to Andy Keogh's second goal against Queens Park Rangers.
The defender was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball early in the second half to concede a penalty that was converted by Dexter Blackstock.
"No way was it a penalty," said the Scot. "I couldn't believe it when the ref pointed to the spot because the ball hit me in the chest.
"And obviously we were disappointed to concede three goals at home especially as we scored three.
"So it was only a point when we wanted all three but who knows - at the end of the season we may look back and say what an important point it was.
"You can question a lot of things about this team but you can never question our work rate and passion.
"We were playing for the manager and playing for each other and we kept at it until we got a reward in the end even though we felt that overall we deserved to win." Wolves
See Also: Earlier Wolves 3 QPR 3 - Reports & Comments

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QPR OFFICIAL SITE - De Canio: ONLY OURSELVES TO BLAME
Luigi De Canio was left bitterly disappointed after watching his Rangers side lead three times at Wolves, but only emerge from the game with a point to show for their efforts.
The R's led through Akos Buzsaky, Dexter Blackstock and Mikele Leigertwood, but Mick McCarthy's men drew level on three occasions, including a last-gasp leveller in the 95th minute.
Like many in the stadium, De Canio was left wondering where referee Clive Oliver found so much injury time from, but he told www.qpr.co.uk:
"That wasn't the only pearl from the referee today. He damaged us considerably throughout the game.
"But we have to accept responsibility for this result and for the fact that we did not win. We didn't kill them off in the first half when we had the chances to do so.
"Obviously I am upset to see us concede such a crucial, late goal, but I am more disappointed that we didn't finish the game off by half time.
"Even in the second half we had several opportunities, but did not take them."
Failing to kill sides off is something that De Canio's team have been punished for already this season, and the R's First Team Coach admitted:
"It is something that we are missing from our game. And it is something that great teams need to have. Clearly we are not a great team yet."
Martin Rowlands was forced off before the end of the first half, and De Canio revealed:
"He was suffering with a neck injury, which is why we took him off.
"We missed the dynamic edge he brings to the midfield, but that isn't the reason we drew this match, we made mistakes in other areas of the pitch." QPR


SPORTING LIFE - BATTLING WOLVES IMPRESS McCARTHY
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy admitted he was delighted with the way his play-off chasers battled back to earn a 3-3 draw against QPR at Molineux.
Andy Keogh's second goal salvaged a point at the death and denied a Rangers outfit who had led three times.
Akos Buzsaky fired Rangers ahead on 27 minutes but Keogh levelled with his first goal on the stroke of half-time. Dexter Blackstock and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake converted penalties before Mikele Leigertwood fired Rangers 3-2 ahead only for Keogh to haul Wolves level for a third time.
"That might well turn out to be the most valuable point we have got all season," said McCarthy afterwards.
"I don't remember when we have played as well as that. That's as good as we have been. We had our chances and we certainly deserved to get level."
McCarthy stressed the penalty that gave Rangers a 2-1 lead should not have been awarded and neither should the one that levelled the scores at 2-2.
"Our penalty should never have been given but it levelled things off," said McCarthy. "They got a very good third goal but we kept on fighting and my players showed great character to make it 3-3."
Rangers manager Luigi De Canio said: "It's a bit sour to come away from Molineux having scored three goals and not won the match.
"Two of the Wolves goals were in injury time at the end of each half and that's something I am not too happy about. I don't know where the referee got those extra minutes at the end of the match.
"We had some good chances but we wasted them. We know we can play good football and we can play much better than that."
Both teams went into the game in good form, each boasting a record of just one defeat in their last seven league games. Sporting Life

WOLVES OFFICIAL SITE Boss Praises Fans For Keogh Boost
Mick McCarthy praised the fans who lifted the spirits of Andy Keogh after the striker had scuffed a 29th minute effort wide. The former Scunthorpe man went on to net two goals which, along with a penalty strike from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, helped Wolves to a share of the points against QPR this afternoon.
Keogh's initial mistake was greeted with calls from certain sections of the crowd for Freddy Eastwood to be brought into the game. Other fans countered with chants of Keogh's name.
The boss said: "I want to praise the positive action of the supporters who realised what was happening and straight away started singing for Andy. Look how well it helped him to play.
"They were not having a go at Keogh direct but we all know what the 'Freddy' chants meant - get Keogh off and Freddy on.
"The lads were all talking about it afterwards and Freddy was embarrassed by it. It's insulting to Keogh.
"But what I loved was the fans who cheered Keogh. What a difference it made to the player because that sort of thing does affect you."
The boss said he believed Wolves deserved more from a game that had produced one of the team's best performances of the season.
He added: "We got less than we deserved. If we'd lost it would have been a travesty because if we've ever played better than that I'd like to see the DVD.
"I was wondering though if - to spice up games - we can give penalties when they are not penalties? Neither should have been given.
"Our players showed real depth of character in adversity to keep going.
"Two points a game is a good tally and that point this afternoon might prove to be the most valuable point all season."
*Rob Edwards has damaged his ankle ligaments. Wolves

QPR Official Site
Wolves scored a 95th minute equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Molineux this afternoon, although the R's will be desperately disappointed not to have won, having led on three separate occasions.
In bizarre weather conditions which included sun, rain and snow, Akos Buzsaky had earlier given Luigi De Canio's men the lead before Andy Keogh drew matters level just before the break.
Early in the second half, Rangers were awarded a spot-kick when Neill Collins handled inside the area. Dexter Blackstock made no mistake, but Wolves were soon level when referee Clive Oliver awarded his second penalty of the afternoon for a foul by Michael Mancienne on Matt Jarvis - although the challenge seemed to occur outside the box.
As Wolves pressed for the winner, Rangers soaked it up before Leigertwood struck a stunning third for the visitors.
Just when it looked as though maximum points would be heading to W12, Wolves scored through Keogh for the second time of the afternoon following a huge goalmouth scramble.
Rangers went into this fixture unchanged from the side that overcame Scunthorpe United 3-1 at Loftus Road last weekend.
Wolves approached this match knowing that, should results go their way, they would find themselves in the top six by the end of the afternoon.
The R's own Play-Off hopes might be slim, but that didn't mean they headed to the Midlands with the intention of rolling over for Mick McCarthy's side.
But it was the hosts who started stronger and could have been ahead as early as the fourth minute when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake got the better of Matt Connolly in the R's penalty area.
As Lee Camp raced out to close him down, the former Plymouth man squared the ball for Andy Keogh, but as the latter went to tap the ball home, Fitz Hall arrived bang on cue to produce a goal-saving challenge.
Three minutes later Michael Gray stung the palms of Lee Camp with a powerful drive from the edge of the box as Wolves looked to gain an early advantage.

McCarthy's side continued to push forward and in the ninth minute, Ebanks-Blake raced clear down the right before picking out the head of Keogh in the area. Thankfully for the R's, the Wolves striker put the ball wide from six yards.

On 20 minutes, the R's created their first real chance of the afternoon through Patrick Agyemang.

The R's hitman picked the ball up in the Wolves penalty area and managed to fend off the attentions of Kevin Foley and Jody Craddock - on for the injured Rob Edwards - before firing his shot inches wide of the far post from a tight angle.

The visitors started to enjoy more possession at this stage, and they took no time to turn their territorial dominance into a 1-0 lead.

On 27 minutes, the impressive Rowan Vine brought down a hurried Wolves clearance with a great touch on the right.

And, as we've come to expect from the former Birmingham striker, he raced straight at the opposing backline.

With the defence at sixes and sevens, Vine slid the ball into the feet of Akos Buzsaky who took one touch before arrowing his shot into the bottom left corner from 20 yards.

Concerningly for the Hoops, Martin Rowlands hobbled out of the action shortly after the half hour mark, to be replaced by Gavin Mahon.

The hosts started to enjoy their own spell of possession, but the R's backline seemed capable of withstanding whatever was thrown at them.

In the 41st minute, however, Wolves nearly drew level following confusion between Camp and Hall after a curling delivery from the right.

With Camp attempting to collect, Hall knocked the ball against his own keeper and it fell at the feet of Matt Jarvis, but he could only find the side netting from a tight angle.

Rangers failed to heed that warning, though, and moments before the interval Wolves found the goal they craved.

Michael Gray produced an excellent cross from the right and Keogh rose highest to power his header home from eight yards out.

The second half burst into life within two minutes when referee Clive Oliver awarded a spotkick following a Buzsaky free-kick from the right of the penalty area.

As the ball arrived in a crowded box, Oliver clearly believed it had hit the arm of Neill Collins and had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

The Wolves defender was booked for his protestations and, in the absence of the injured Rowlands, Dexter Blackstock assumed responsibility for the penalty.

He made no mistake as he put Wayne Hennessey the wrong way from 12 yards out.

Buoyed by his third goal of the season, Blackstock nearly added another moments later with a ferocious drive, which flew inches over the bar.

At the other end of the pitch, Keogh seemed to have got clear of the R's backline, but Matt Connolly produced a stunning saving tackle before the Wolves striker had a chance to test Camp.

On 62 minutes a mistake by Camp nearly allowed Wolves to draw level when he spilled Ebanks-Blake's effort from 16 yards. Thankfully, the R's keeper was able to get out and smother the danger before the Wolves frontman could capitalise.

Three minutes later, referee Oliver handed the hosts a lifeline when he pointed to the spot for the second penalty of the game. He felt Michael Mancienne had deliberately brought down Jarvis in the box when it largely looked like the challenge had occurred outside the area.

Ebanks-Blake stepped up to smash the ball home and draw matters level for the second time of the afternoon.

And they very nearly took the lead when Jarvis pulled the ball back from the left for the on-rushing Karl Henry to slam goalwards from eight yards. Incredibly he was denied by a stunning save from Camp.

As the hosts started to dominate, Luigi De Canio threw on Gareth Ainsworth for Buzsaky in a bid to inspire his troops.

But they were unable to stop the free-flowing Wolves who were now creating wave after wave of attack.

Jarvis - a constant threat - forced Camp into another fine save on 77 minutes with a powerful drive from 25 yards out as Wolves searched for the all-important fifth goal of the game.

Incredibly it came from the visitors two minutes later. Ainsworth delivered a teasing cross from the right which was only partially cleared into the path of Mikele Leigertwood. The R's midfielder took it on his chest before firing an unstoppable drive from 20 yards out, to the delight of the travelling Rangers fans.

Wolves pushed forward in the closing minutes and brought on powerful front man Kevin Kyle in a desperate bid to break down the R's backline for a third time. And they managed it deep in injury time after a huge goalmouth scramble before the ball fell at the feet of Keogh, who made no mistake from close range.

Wolves: Hennessey, Collins, Olofinjana, Henry, Keogh, Edwards (Craddock, 4), Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake, Foley (Kyle, 86), Gray (Eastwood, 59), Elokobi.

Subs: Gibson, Stack.

Bookings: Collins (48), Jarvis (63)

Goals: Keogh (44), Ebanks-Blake (66), Keogh (90)

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mancienne, Blackstock, Buzsaky (Ainsworth, 74), Connolly (Rehman, 59), Agyemang, Vine, Hall, Leigertwood, Rowlands (Mahon, 31).

Subs: Pickens, Balanta.

Bookings: Mancienne (57), Delaney (68), Blackstock (82)

Goals: Buzsaky (27), Blackstock (pen, 49), Leigertwood (79)

Referee: Mr C Oliver

Attendance: 24, 290 QPR


WOLVES OFFICIAL SITE

Wolves 3 (Keogh 45, 90, Ebanks-Blake pen 67,) QPR 3 (Buzsaky 28, Blackstock pen 49, Leigertwood 79)
Posted on: Sat 22 Mar 2008

A game full of action, goals and controversy gave Wolves a share of the points against QPR this afternoon thanks to a dramatic last minute equaliser from Keogh.

Wolves had the best of the early action, with Hall making a crucial clearance of an Ebanks-Blake cross that was aimed at the advancing Keogh. Then, in a similar movement between the Wolves two forwards, Keogh headed wide.

The home side were forced to make an early substitution when Edwards appeared to have gone over on his ankle and was replaced by Craddock.

QPR battled back with Agyemang coming close with a shot that skimmed across the face of Hennessey's goal on 20 minutes.

With the Londoners coming into the game more and more, it was OPR who took the lead on 28 minutes. Wolves lost possession and Buzsaky scored an impressive individual goal from the edge of the area.
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Wolves tried to reply instantly and Keogh fired a shot wide.

Undeterred Wolves continued to work hard and regained their dominance. Jarvis, one of Wolves' busiest players hit the side netting on 42 minutes after a searching cross across the box from Keogh.

Wolves pulled level just before the break, glancing a header past Camp from an excellent ball into the box by Gray.

H-T: Wolves QPR 1

The second half started disastrously for Wolves with Collins penalised for handball in the box. The ball looked to have accidentally struck the defender's upper arm.

Blackstock scored from the spot on 49 minutes.

Ebanks-Blake came close to getting an equaliser but his low shot was saved by the legs of Camp.

Jarvis put Keogh through on 54 minutes but the Wolves striker got sandwiched between Hall and Connolly.

Eastwood came on for Gray on 59 minutes.

Olofinjana tried a shot on 63 minutes but although Camp fumbled his save there was no one there to follow up.

Wolves drew level though another controversial penalty decision when Mancienne made little contact with Jarvis outside the area but referee Clive Oliver pointed to the spot. Ebanks-Blake stepped up and scored.

Jarvis came close to getting a winner with a long distance strike that camp did well to turn away. Olofinjana connected with rebound but the ball went wide.

Then, against the run of play, Leigertwood won the ball on the edge of the 'D' and fired past Hennessey to leave Wolves trailing again.

Kyle came on for Foley on 87 minutes.

There were five minutes added time and, after a dramatic goal mouth scramble, Keogh buried an equaliser in the final minute. Wolves

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QPR took the lead...Wolves equalized and at half-time it was 1-1..QPR went ahead from a Blackstock Penalty. Wolves equalized with a penalty...Leighterwood put QPR 3-2 ahead. Then Wolves scored - of course - deep into injury time.
QPR now have 52 points with six games remaining. If they'd have won, they would have been 5 points out of a playoff spot.

LEAGUE TABLE Updated League Table

EXPRESS AND STAR - Wolves 3 QPR 3

16.57: Full time and Wolves grab a point, could prove crucial in the final standings.

16.55: Keogh equalises in the last second for Wolves, his 95th minute leveller gives Wolves a point.

16.45: Wolves are throwing everything at QPR to get a deserved equaliser but it’s to no avail so far.

16.45: Wolves are throwing everything at QPR to get a deserved equaliser but it’s to no avail so far.

16.38: QPR go ahead for a third time through Leigertwood, he hits Wolves on the break and lashes past Hennessey.

16.36: It’s all Wolves and Camp makes two terrific saves to deny the home side.

16.31: Wolves putting the pressure on now really going for the three points that could take them into the play-offs with Plymouth level and Palace losing.

16.29: That was SEB’s 20th of the season.

16.25: The striker gets the chance from the spot now when Wolves are awarded a penalty and SEB capitalises, converting from 12 yards, it’s 2-2.

Jarvis was tripped in the area, no doubt about that spot kick.

16.23: SEB forces another save from Camp.

16.22: Wolves make a change and Freddy Eastwood comes on with 30 minutes left to make an impression. He replaces Michael Gray.

16.17: Camp parries SEB’s effort and it is quite a duel between the two men this afternoon.

16.14: The controversy has stirred both teams and it is a full blooded game now.

16.09: Swain says Collins did handle but there was no intent on his part.

16.07: QPR get a penalty at the start of the second half, it’s controversial again, the home fans not happy.

Collins handles from Buszaky’s free kick according to the referee. Blackstock converts the spot kick.

15.50: half time at Molineux and a good boost for Wolves.

15.46: Spoke too soon just before the break Keogh puts Wolves level, he heads home Gray’s cross.

15.44: Half time approaching and no real signs of Wolves grabbing an equaliser.

15.37: Sixth placed Plymouth lead against Watford - it’s Jermaine Easter at Easter.

15.34: QPR have to make a change when skippe Rowlands has to be replaced by Mahon.

15.33: That was harsh on Wolves after their opening efforts but it’s an uphill struggle now.

15.29: QPR take the lead after a good 10 minute spell through Hungarian Buszaky, and it’s a terrific goal, a snap shot from 25 yards which finds its way into the corner.

Foley was caught dwelling on the ball and Buszaky capitalised.

15.22: First real threat from the visitors. Buszaky’s header drops over the Wolves defence into the path of Agyemang but his fierce shot bounces just wide of the post.

15.21: Ipswich lead at Scunthorpe as Wolves continue to impress at Molineux.

15.19: Sheff Wed lead Palace 1-0. At Molineux SEB volleys over from the edge of the box.

15.15: Swain: “Wolves started a home game as brightly as they had done for some time.”

15.11: Keogh misses a good chance, scuffing wide from close range after good build up from SEB.

15.09: Gray fires a shot which Lee Camp parries. SEB follows up but is thwarted by the offside flag.

15.07: Wolves force the first corner but it is cleared. Our man Martin Swain says Wolves have begun with a high tempo.

15.06: Poor Rob Edwards, he is off injured just 10 minutes into his return. What misfortune but at least Jody Craddock is able to replace him.

15.02: Preston have already done Wolves one favour, beating play off chasing Burnley 2-1.

15.00: We are about to get underway. We will keep you up to date with the other scores affecting Wolves. They could go top six with a win today.

14.43: Swedewolf Bro: “No snow in Sweden”. That’s a role reversal then.

We must be in England because the Saturday afternoon talk is about football and the weather. Just the way it should be.

14.41: Lee said: “Snow Rain and Sun, all intermittent… crazy weather.” Lets hope the sun shines on Wolves today.

14.33: It’s not very nice conditions at Molineux for this game. Is it snowing where you are?

14.17: Two changes for Wolves. Matt Jarvis and Rob Edwards in for Darren Potter and Darren Ward, who is out with flu. Minute-by-Minute Report

TEAMS

Wolves: Hennessey, Collins, Olofinjana, Henry, (c), Keogh, Edwards, Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake, Foley, Gray, Elokobi. Subs: Craddock, Eastwood, Gibson, Stack, Kyle.

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mancienne, Blackstock, Buzsaky, Connolly, Agyemang, Vine, Hall, Leigertwood, Rowlands (c). Subs: Mahon, Ainsworth, Pikens, Rehman, Balanta.

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Today's Teams

Wolves: Hennessey, Collins, Olofinjana, Henry, (c), Keogh, Edwards, Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake, Foley, Gray, Elokobi
Subs: Craddock, Eastwood, Gibson, Stack, Kyle.

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mancienne, Blackstock, Buzsaky, Connolly, Agyemang, Vine, Hall, Leigertwood, Rowlands (c).
Subs: Mahon, Ainsworth, Pikens, Rehman, Balanta.

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90-second video of former QPR Chairman, Antonio Caliendo speaking (in Italian). A link to the video is posted on the Italian QPR Fan site, QPR Italia. See Video Clip - [Translations welcomed!]

Supposedly Caliendo says in this interview, he has yet to receive any money from the QPR sale.

QPR Italia Transcribing of Caliendo: "Caliendo: "Non ho ancora preso una lira"...
.e lascia intendere future ritorsioni...
Caliendo... Mah! Crede che tutti siano a sua disposizione? QPR Italia

Partial Translation of Caliendo's Comments - Caliendo Comments - Brief Web Translation

TRANSCRIPT AND TRANSLATION


[Transcript and translation from QPR Italia's Wally West]

Giornalista: Caliendo, vedi la foto di Briatore?

Caliendo: Qui andiamo in in un campo molto delicato. Ne parlo malvolentieri. E' la prima volta che lo dico pubblicamente ma io non ho ancora visto una lira, o sterlina che dir si voglia…

Giornalista: tu hai venduto i QPR a Briatore e ancora non ti hanno pagato?

Caliendo: Esatto. Ne lui ne Ecclestone. Ecclestone ha dichiarato sul Times che mi pagherà quando avranno finito di controllare la contabilità. Sinceramente questi controlli sono molto lenti, sono ormai passati otto mesi! Tutti i giornali inglesi mi stanno cercando per avere una replica da me, ma io per ora preferisco tacere.

Giornalista: Ho letto che vogliono prendere Figo

Caliendo: Si, ma prima di dedicarsi a questi acquisti... ai playoff.... Non lo so... secondo me... nel prossimo futuro si saprà qualcosa di più su tutta questa vicenda...
====

TRANSLATION

Journalist: Caliendo, do you see this photo of Briatore?

Caliendo: Here we go in a very delicate sector. I talk reluctantly about this situation. And this is the first time I said it publicly: I have not yet seen a ‘lira’, or ‘pound’, if you prefeare.

Journalist: you sold QPR to Briatore and he has not yet paid you?

Caliendo: Exactly. Neigther Ecclestone. Ecclestone said on Times that I will be payed when they have finished checking the financial balance. Frankly these controls are very slow, eight months have passed! All english newspapers ansk me for a reply, but I prefer to remain quiet now.

Journalist: I read that they wish to buy Figo

Caliendo: Yes, but before to project these purchases ... to project playoffs dreams.... I don’t know ... I think ... In the near future we will know something more about this whole affair ...

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Kevin Gallen played for MK Dons yesterday in front of a record crowd as they drew 1-1 with Peterbrough. Unfortunately, according to reports..."Kevin Gallen missed a great last-minute chance to move MK Dons clear at the top...Gallen then scuffed the best chance of the match when he failed the hit the target from close range." BBC
Or from Sporting Life "Veteran striker Kevin Gallen missed a glorious last-gasp chance to move the MK Dons clear at the top.... The former QPR striker somehow blazed wide in the dying seconds with the goal at his mercy to disappoint the majority of the 14,528-strong crowd....the best chance of the night arrived in stoppage time when Gallen hopelessly miscued after good work from Wilbraham." Sporting Life

MK Dons Official Site - Ray Mathias on Kevin Gallen
"...Mathias backed Gallen to put things right. He said: "We're disappointed in the end, the one person you'd want that chance to fall to was Kevin Gallen but unfortunately these things happen. "Kev's gutted in there, nobody's more professional than him and he's got goals for the team this season.
"He's apologised to the lads after the game but players don't mean to miss chances, especially players of Kevin Gallen's quality....MK Dons

Lee Cook came on a late sub for Charlton in their 1-1 draw with WBA. ReportAlso - Charlton Official Site Match Report

Yeovil, with Forbes starting and Bircham coming on as late sub (and getting booked) defeated Doncaster 2-1 - Report

And at Nottingham Forest: Supposed (according to messageboard rumours) QPR target Chris Commons; and very briefly-at-QPR QPR Junior Agogo came on as late subs as Forest won 2-1 at - Report

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Bucks Free Press - 'I want Paul for the final Furlong'
WANDERERS boss Paul Lambert will make a fresh bid to sign Luton Town striker Paul Furlong.
The Blues chief sees the 39-year-old former Chelsea and QPR hitman as the final piece in his promotion jigsaw.
Lambert has already failed with one move to sign the Hatters top scorer - but he will go back with a renewed offer before the deadline on March 29.
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He will offer Furlong a loan deal until the end of the season with the promise of a one-year deal for the following season on better terms than his previous offer.
Lambert said: "We have got until next Thursday to do it. I am still trying to get Paul in. He is the one I want, He is experienced, he has great enthusiasm for the game and can do the job we want at a vital time of the season.
"He would have the right effect on the dressing room."
But Lambert faces stiff competition. Luton boss Mick Harford has already said he doesn't want to offload one of his star players and other clubs are also sniffing around.
But Lambert is hoping that the carrott of a guaranteed contract next season, coupled with his own ambitions for the Adams Park club, could swing it.
Lambert said: "Getting a striker in remains my number one priority. I have seen him, I know what he can do for us and he is head and shoulders the one we want."
Lambert has got one or two other players on his B-list but Furlong is clearly his front-runner.
Lambert is unable to offer him the wages he is currently on at Kenilworth Road but is hoping the carrot of a full year next season could swing it.
He said: "It worries you that if anything happens to Scott McGleish, Leon Knight or John Sutton we are going to be short." Bucks Free Press


GARY MICKLEWHITE Turns 47
Micklewhite was signed from Manchester United on a free transfer by Tommy Docherty but was given his chance by Terry Venables. Micklewhite was a substitute for Clive Allen in the FA Cup Final and played in the replay. He got the last-minute 5th goal in QPR's magical 5-5 draw against Newcastle in 1984-1985.

FROM WYCOMBE Fan Site -Gary Micklewhite in Profile
Born: Southwark 21 March 1961
Playing Career:Manchester United March 1978-May 1979 (apprentice)QPR July 1979-Feb 1985 127 apps-17 goalsDerby County Feb 1985-May 1993 288 apps-43 goalsGillingham July 1993-May 1996 113 apps-4 goals
Gary Micklewhite came to Wycombe at the start of the 1998/99 season as Assistant to Neil Smillie. He had spent the previous two seasons as Youth Team Manager at QPR and was a team-mate of Neil Smillie during his final playing years at Gillingham.
Micklewhite began his professional football at Old Trafford under the reigns of Tommy Docherty but he never made the first team. Then in the summer of 1979, with Docherty now at QPR, he arrived on a free and began a succesful spell at Loftus Road. In 1982 he appeared in both games against Spurs in the FA Cup Final at Wembley - playing in midfield alongside former Wycombe Manager John Gregory. A year later he gained a Division Two Championship with Rangers. A £90,000 move to Derby County in 1985 began an eight year spell at The Baseball Ground before his move to Gillingham. Wycombe

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Nice story in the Football League's "League Leader" of how several clubs, including QPR, are helping overseas children with kits.
"Clubs put shirts on the backs of poor children
"Generous Football League sides are helping to provide kit for underprivileged youngsters around the world. Colchester United, QPR and Coventry City have all sent shirts abroad for teenagers to wear while they improve their education - along with their football skills....
"...QPR home strips have gone out to a team in Jamaica. The Hoops are supporting an initiative to get young people in the country to steer clear of teenage gangs. As a token of appreciation, a team from the Caribbean island’s West Moorlands district have renamed themselves Rangers United. They are now joining a local league and will wear the kit for all matches..."

See page 4 of the latest Football League's League Leader

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Wolves Official Site QPR On The Up
Mick McCarthy has warned that QPR are 'on the up' and going to provide tough opposition tomorrow.
Wolves, chasing a place in the play-offs, go into the game looking for their third consecutive win. Jody Craddock and Stephen Elliott are back in training and in contention.
The Wolves boss says: "QPR are on the up - not just results-wise but in terms of their profile.
"They've had some investment and signed players in January to keep them up and you can see the impact it's had. They've had a different demeanour compared to earlier in the season.
"They have a swagger and self-belief that they are going places.
"They are a good footballing side and have quality in the team."
"QPR will come here thinking that if they can turn Wolves over then who knows what might happen in the last few games. Looking at this league who's to argue that couldn't be done."
Gary Breen has returned to training after being off ill but will not feature tomorrow. Wolves

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OK...Slightly selective/idiosyncratic!

BBC - Holloway's Column

According to the News of the World, stewards at QPR went to eject a supporter for smoking in the toilets - not realising it was actually the King of Ghana.

Ha ha - get out of it! Well if he's not allowed to smoke in the toilet then he should be thrown out anyway, whoever he is.

Why, just because he's the King of Ghana, should he be allowed to get away with it? He shouldn't be allowed to smoke where other people aren't allowed.

Rules is rules

That's a classic though - 'Don't you know who I am?' - 'Yeah you're a bloke who's smoking, now get out of our toilet and get out of our ground!'

It just goes to show QPR don't mess about - 'Sorry mate, I don't care if you're the king of Azerbaijan, you're still not allowed to smoke in QPR's toilets!' Fantastic.
BBC

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QPR's reserve goalie, Jake Cole is recovering from an operation...Mahon is recovering from injury...and ex-QPR Justin Cochrane signs for Millwall.

Yahoo SPorts - Rs keeper faces spell on sidelines
QPR reserve goalkeeper Jake Cole faces a spell on the sidelines after undergoing a minor operation on his elbow.The 22-year-old was forced to turn to surgery to cure a niggling problem, but the Loftus Road medical team expect him to be back in action in a couple of weeks.
"Jake had keyhole surgery to remove some floating bone in his elbow - it was just a general tidy-up," said Rangers physio Paul Hunter. "He's already making good progress though, and should be back in contention soon." Yahoo Sports

QPR Official Site - MAHON MAKING PROGRESS
R's Head Physio Paul Hunter expects Gavin Mahon to return to peak fitness in the coming days, following the midfielder's recent medial injury.
The former Watford man, who was sidelined for three weeks following his goal-scoring exploits against Burnley in mid-February, has featured from the bench against Sheffield Wednesday and Scunthorpe United in the past fortnight and is again expected to be in the R's squad for the trip to Molineux this weekend.
"We've been building him back up in the last few weeks," Hunter told www.qpr.co.uk.
"He's managed to get some game time from the bench in the last few fixtures and he's nearing full fitness now.
"We'll continue to monitor his medial injury, but we're quite happy with the progress he is making."
Elsewhere, Dexter Blackstock is again likely to feature against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday following the birth of his first child, but Jake Cole is definitely out.
The up-and-coming goalkeeper has undergone a minor elbow operation and is likely to be sidelined for the next couple of weeks.
Hunter explained: "Jake had keyhole surgery last week to remove some floating bodies in his elbow - it was just a general tidy up really.
"He's already making really good progress though and should be back in contention soon." QPR


Justin Cochrane Leaves Yeovil and Joins Millwall

Millwall - Double signing
Lions manager Kenny Jackett has this afternoon completed the double signing of midfielders Justin Cochrane and Jem Karacan.
Cochrane, who started his career at QPR and has had stints at Crewe, Gillingham, Rotherham and most recently Yeovil Town, has signed a short-term contract, whilst Jem is on a month's emergency loan from Reading.
And as both players explained, they already have a special link Justin Cochranewith The Lions for very different reasons.
"Kenny Jackett was assistant manager when I was a young player at QPR," said Justin, 26, who played at The Den earlier this season for Yeovil.
"Kenny knows me well and asked me along for a trial a few days ago. I scored for the reserves at Watford last week and am delighted to be here. I am determined to earn a spot in the squad and hopefully the first team."
Catford-born Jem added: "I got a phone call yesterday asking if I wanted to come here on loan and jumped at the chance.
My uncle and cousin along with a few mates are season ticket holders and massive Millwall fans, so they are all delighted.
Like Justin, I am really looking forward to being here at The Den and playing in front of the fans."
Both Justin and Jem feel that they have settled in to their new environment already.
"I know Bas Savage, Lenny Pidgeley and played in the same team at Gillingham as Neil Harris when I was on loan there. I also know Rhys Evans and Marcus Bignot from QPR," said Justin.
Jem added: "I know Lewis Grabban already and trained with the lads for the first time this morning. They are a really good bunch. Now I just want to get playing."
Both Justin and Jem will be in Millwall's squad for Saturday's match at Oldham Athletic. Millwall

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Andrew Mcdermott - Turns 31 - March 20, 1977
Signed from Australia by Ray Wilkins. Made his debut for Houston/Rioch...sold to WBA for 400,000 pounds.

Antti Heinola - Turns 35 - March 20 1973
(although another site lists him as February 20, 1973 birthday!)
QPR's Finnish Defender signed by Ray Harford. - Career

And as QPR accounts have recently been released in preparation for the forthcoming AGM (accounts not currently online), a "nostalgia" flashback to the QPR AGM of March 2006

March 2006: QPR Holdings Ltd -AGM Report
QPR1st: "March 19, 2006 - Tracy Stent represented the interests of the Supporters Trust at the Annual General Meeting of QPR Holdings Ltd ...Tracy has produced a report of the meeting ... - QPR 1st And QPR1st's 2006 AGM Report

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Yes. Another fine Official Site Profile and Interview!

QPR Official Site - BLAST FROM THE PAST


In our latest instalment of exclusive past player interviews on www.qpr.co.uk, R's legend John Byrne comes under the spotlight.

John Byrne (1984-1988)

With his flowing blond hair and silky football skills, John Byrne was another in the long line of flamboyant Number 10's at Loftus Road.

The Manchester-born striker joined Rangers from York City for £100,000 in October 1984. He went on to make 149 appearances in a hooped shirt, scoring 36 goals.

Looking back to more than 20 years ago, Byrne has happy recollections of his spell with the R's.

"I moved south just after I played for York against QPR in the League Cup over two legs," he said.

"We lost both games but personally I think I did alright. So that gave the impetus for Rangers to sign me. It was pretty instantaneous.

"The big attraction was that I was joining a First Division Club. There weren't the same financial benefits that footballers have nowadays - in fact, I didn't sign for much more money that I was on at York to be honest!

"When I came to QPR, the thing that struck me was how good the players were in comparison to the standard I was used to. I was gobsmacked by the quality that was around me in my first couple of training sessions!

"I enjoyed playing up front with 'Banna' (Gary Bannister). He was a great centre-forward, right out of the top drawer. I don't know how our partnership worked but we just seemed to have a good understanding.

"He was more of a prolific goalscorer than I was. He also had superb quality and awareness for bringing people into the game.

"Personally, I was always conscious of the traditions at Rangers and so I was dead proud to wear the Number 10. I think I did the shirt justice most of the time."

Byrne was certainly a man for the big occasion. He won 23 caps for the Republic of Ireland in his career and always seemed to dazzle in QPR's more prestigious fixtures.

"Probably the best game was when we beat Chelsea 6-0 at Loftus Road on Easter Monday 1986," recalls Byrne.

"I'll never forget that day! It was just one of those occasions when everything went right for us. Banna was on fire - he scored a hat-trick and I got a couple too.

"I remember one of my goals where I picked up possession on the halfway line. It was funny on that plastic pitch, because bodies would fall all around you if you got into your stride. So eventually I wriggled free and slotted a shot into the bottom corner.

"There were some big name players in the Chelsea line-up, including centre-back Doug Rougvie who seemed like he wanted to kill somebody when the score was 5-0! He was certainly looking for blood!

"We had the Milk Cup Final coming up and I remember saying to Banna with about 15 minutes to go 'I ain't going anywhere near Rougvie'. And Gary replied 'Neither am I!' So we both ended up playing on the wings with no one in the middle!

"Another of my favourite memories is scoring in two home games against Manchester United. The most satisfying match was when we defeated them 1-0 in March 1986.

"I remember lobbing the ball over two defenders' heads in the box. Then I flicked it back before shooting past Chris Turner in goal at the Loft End.

"It was great for me - especially being a Manchester lad as well. United are my team and it is weird to say that I scored a goal that beat them."

Happy days for the Super Hoops! Indeed, Byrne only has one regret from his time with Rangers.

"The biggest disappointment was losing 3-0 in the Milk Cup Final against Oxford. We just so under performed at Wembley that day. It was such a bad display that I still can't get my head around it.

"It came after we had a great run to reach the Final. I scored a cracker at Watford, then we beat Forest, Chelsea and Liverpool along the way.

"So I reflect on the Final with tinges of regret. If we had played anything like our best then we would have lifted the cup."

Byrne is now 47 years-old and lives on the South Coast. He keeps himself busy in his new career and also follows events here at Loftus Road with avid interest.

"I have quite an unusual job. I am a podiatrist which involves treatment of foot disorders. Norman Whiteside was probably the first ex-footballer to go into it.

"I originally wanted to do physiotherapy but I couldn't get a place at Uni. Then I got on a course to study podiatry. I ended up with a BSC Honours degree eight years ago.

"Since then, I've been working three days a week in the NHS with patients who are maybe diabetic or have rheumatoid arthritis. I have my own private practise for a day and a half each week where I deal with a number of sports people. And I also do a day a week as a lecturer at Brighton University with students who are training to be podiatrists.

"Away from work, I still keep an eye on the fortunes of every Club I played for. So I have been delighted by the new investment at QPR. They've got a fantastic chance of gaining promotion in the next year or two and I hope Rangers have a great future."

QPR

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Believe it...or not!
The Times
QPR chase Ramage - Queens Park Rangers will make a £1million move in the summer for Peter Ramage, the Newcastle United defender. A QPR scout watched Ramage make his first appearance for seven months after a knee injury for Newcastle's reserves against their Bolton Wanderers counterparts on Tuesday. "

QPR will not, however, pursue any interest in Luís Figo, the Portugal striker. A club source said: “He would cost £50,000 a week and, at 35, how much hunger would he have for the Championship?” The Times

Meanwhile injured:
Goal.com - Figo Injured Yet Again
Inter Milan winger Luis Figo has suffered yet another injury setback.
The 35-year-old had just managed to recover from a lengthy injury, but has tweaked a hamstring in training and will now have to sit out tonight's away fixture against Genoa.
It is too early to say whether he will be back available for the visit of Juventus this weekend, but he will be desperate to get back on the football pitch again after several weeks of off-the-field polemics.
Figo has been involved in a heavy bout of damage control by insisting that his relationship with Inter Coach Roberto Mancini is just fine, and denying reports that he refused to come on against Liverpool.
He has also admitted to being increasingly annoyed by the persistent rumours surrounding his future, the latest of which he has felt compelled to deny has him tipped for a sensational move to English Championship side QPR.
Derek Wanner, Goal.com - Goal.com

Also: Goal.com "Figo Rejects QPR & Euro 2008 Rumours
"Luis Figo has rejected the extraordinary rumour that he is set to sign for QPR next season, and he also reveals that he will not be coming out of international retirement to play at Euro 2008..."

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Daily Mail - We'll have to leave Loftus Road, says QPR boss De Canio

Luigi De Canio believes Queens Park Rangers will have to abandon Loftus Road if they want to become one of the top clubs in the country.

With the backing of Formula One entrepreneurs Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, as well as billionaire Indian steel baron Lakshmi Mittal, Rangers can reasonably claim to be the world's richest club.

Briatore is keen to establish QPR as a Premier League side within four years — and manager De Canio knows that could mean the west Londoners outgrowing the stadium which has been their home since 1917.

De Canio said: “If QPR were to reach the goals which the directors have set, the idea of a more spacious and comfortable stadium would be guaranteed. I hope we will be playing in the Champions League in four years' time, and I hope I will still be here to experience it first-hand.”

Rangers have an outside chance of reaching the Championship play-offs this term, but it is next season when they are expected to be one of the favourites for promotion.

Briatore and Ecclestone will flex their financial muscles during the summer transfer market, with De Canio indicating that the further Rangers progress, the more the wealthy duo will be prepared to spend.

The former Udinese and Napoli manager added: “We will certainly make signings in the summer, but it will be done carefully, which was what happened during the January transfer window.

“But that doesn't take away the fact that, if we move up a division, Briatore and his associates are prepared to make investments of a certain consistency, including for players who play abroad.

“The owners of QPR are very, very rich, but they took over the club with the idea of making steady progress, not of throwing money out of the window.

“This season, we are happy to avoid relegation, as we were in a poor position when I took over in October. We will think about promotion next season, because at the moment there are a number of strong teams who have many more points than we do.”

De Canio believes English football compares favourably with the game in Italy, but suggests that teams here are not as tactically well-prepared as they are in his homeland.

He added: “There is a genuine passion for football in England, but without the levels of exasperation that exist in Italy, where too often the only thing that counts is winning.

“The referees here are calmer, and they speak to the players more. Of course, they make mistakes, yet they are not criticised as heavily as they are in Italy.

“The managers here are good, but in training they concern themselves less with tactics than Italians would. In Italy, the managers are given more of a rounded preparation for the job, which includes knowledge of psychology and tactics.” Daily Mail

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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Boss will prune squad to 22

QPR boss Luigi de Canio has revealed he wants to begin next season with a squad of 22.
Rangers have been represented by a total of 36 players during the current campaign - not including substitute goalkeepers - and De Canio wants to rely on a much smaller pool of options next year.

The Rs boss has rightly dismissed foolish suggestions that his side might yet nail a play-off place this season - and admits he is not greatly concerned about their final league placing.

"Recently in mid-season a lot of faces changed and so the most important thing is to gel a team and get everyone thinking with the same mentality," De Canio told the Times.

"The objective is to do as well as possible. The final position doesn't have huge importance, but obviously the higher we place ourselves, the more faith we'll have in our own ability.

"Faith in their ability and skills is the most important quality that I want this team to have. Even when they were 1-0 down to Scunthorpe they didn't lose faith.

"I think in this Championship, 22 players with a very well-spread ability in every position is the ideal if you want to succeed. That is what I want next season.

"Most, if not all of the players who are here now have a few more years on their contracts, but for anyone in their last year we'll decide what happens towards the end of the season."

Club captain Gareth Ainsworth has already signed a new one-year deal, but his predecessor Adam Bolder - currently in his second month on loan at Sheffield Wednesday - is unlikely to be offered another contract.

On-loan striker Danny Nardiello should make a permanent switch back to Barnsley, while De Canio will also have to make decisions on goalkeepers Jake Cole and Matt Pickens.

The Rangers boss also plans to supplement his squad by bringing through more graduates from the youth set-up to follow in the footsteps of forward Angelo Balanta.

Balanta has made six appearances for the Rs under De Canio and the manager stressed: "I am working hard with the board and the owners to have an ever-improving structure so that we can bring young players through the system and maybe breaking into the squad.

"I believe this is very important. We'll do whatever is necessary and do it gradually, one step at a time, not a revolution. Kilburn Times


Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Camp fire has warm glow

IF everyone who has pulled on a QPR shirt this season was attending the club's Player of the Year dinner, the Novotel Hammersmith might not be a big enough venue.

Strictly speaking, Rangers supporters have never had a wider range of candidates from which to choose their Player of the Year - but in reality, there are only two genuine options.

Most of the current first team haven't been with the club long enough to justify that accolade, even though the likes of Akos Buzsaky and Rowan Vine made a strong case for consideration during their loan spells.

But fans need to cast their minds back to the start of the season and applaud the players who held things together as John Gregory's team drifted towards the foot of the table.

So often during his QPR career, injury has denied Martin Rowlands the chance to show what he can do - in a variety of positions - on a regular basis.

This year, Rowlands has proved what Rangers fans have always believed - that he can pass, tackle, create goals and score them as well as any midfield player at this level.

Maybe even at a higher level. Rowlands certainly didn't look out of place when the Rs locked horns with Chelsea - and his importance to the team was recognised by Luigi de Canio, who immediately appointed him skipper.

Rowlands won the award after his first season at Loftus Road in 2004 and would be a worthy winner again - but so would another player who first made an impression in that promotion year.

Paul Jones and Simon Royce were more than adequate goalkeepers in the Championship, yet Lee Camp has surpassed them since his permanent move from Derby.

Camp's saves rescued Rangers from even heavier beatings than the ones they suffered at the start of the season, and more often than not he has been their star turn, especially away from home.

Remember his performances at Preston, Barnsley at Coventry? Not the most memorable of games, but grinding out 0-0 draws away from home is a knack Rangers will need to utilise if they are to push for promotion next season.

It's hard to separate Rowlands and Camp, but the keeper edges it for me on the basis that he has maintained his standards despite playing behind what was, until recently, a constantly changing defence.

As to the Young Player of the Year award, I am convinced it would have gone to Simon Walton but for the broken leg in pre-season that may have effectively ended his QPR career before it had a chance to begin.

Matthew Connolly is maturing into a solid defender and Angelo Balanta shows plenty of promise, but Hogan Ephraim - who has spent all but two months of the season at Rangers - should get the verdict.

Ephraim has skill, pace and confidence - and if he can learn to curb the impetuous streak that earned him a red card at Sheffield Wednesday - will surely play a key role in the club's future.

The Player of the Year dinner and dance, including a three-course meal and disco, takes place at the Novotel from 7pm on Sunday May 4 (the last day of the season). Call 08444 777 007 for details.

You can vote for both awards by emailing player@qpr.co.uk or youngplayer@qpr.co.uk respectively. Kilburn Times


Also: Player of the Year Voting Options and Player of the Year Banquet Details

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Gareth Ainsworth - Kilburn Times

DESPITE what people might think, our squad isn't all that big at the moment, so it was a relief to have a full week's break between games at last.

The players have had extra recovery time this week and we had a day at the spa on Tuesday, which was relaxing, but more importantly there's time to work on a few things in training between now and the Wolves game.

One or two players have been carrying knocks since Saturday, but the substitutes on the bench were there for changes of formation rather than personnel, and that's why the gaffer delayed using them against Scunthorpe.

The fans might have been expecting substitutions a bit earlier, but 1-1 is always a dodgy situation to try and change it around - and, to be honest, everyone was totally confident we were going to win the game.

Scunthorpe had little spells of pressure in the second half - which is always going to happen, no matter who you're playing against - but we rode those out, then hit them with a fantastic move from Pat Agyemang.

I don't think you'd have seen a better move anywhere during the weekend and then a superb finish by Viney made the points secure.

I spoke to Nigel Adkins, the Scunthorpe manager, after the game, and we both agreed that the decisions the referee made throughout were poor.

Our penalty was definitely fortunate, but I felt the free-kick that they scored from was as well. All you can say is that when you get those little breaks you've got to make the most of them - and fair play to Rowly for the way he took the penalty. His attitude has been awesome all season.

That's three wins and nine goals in our last three home games, which looks good on the stats. The lads have shown we have a formidable team that can turn anyone over at Loftus Road and it's a good foundation to be putting down for next season.

Away from home we need some tweaking and our next game gives us an opportunity to improve our record with a win at Wolves.

Mick McCarthy's boys are so inconsistent - they can't seem to get a run together, but they're hovering around the play-offs, so they must have something about them.

I think they blow hot and cold and, if we catch them on a cold day, there's no reason why we can't go up there and take the three points. Kilburn Times

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As noted yesterday on QPR Report, Football Fanzine published its award shortlists in various categories. These categories included Dave Thomas' A Kick Up The Rs and Clive Whittingham's Loft for Words in the "Best Championship Fanzines" award shortlist; and Clive Whittingham of Loft for Words in the "Best Editor" Category.

QPR Report blog was included in the "Best Blog" Shortlist. Thought might be of interest to provide links to the other blogs listed in the Football Fanzine shortlist. They make very good reading and several of them are really excellent.

Football Fanzine Awards
Best Blog Shortlist -Here are shortlisted entries for the Best Blog category:

Aston Villa AVFC Blog

Celtic Celtic Quick news

Fulham Craven Cottage Newsround

General The 100 Football Grounds Club

Liverpool Kop Blog

QPR QPR Report

Rangers Fat Eck

Sunderland Sobs on Soccer

Watford BHaPPY

Fanzine Awards

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BBC Gossip - "QPR are determined to sign on-loan Manchester United full-back Kieran Lee on a permanent deal. (Daily Star)"

[Note: This reiterates - or comes from - what De Canio said in his interview yesterday - De Canio Interview]

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Forty-Two years ago today, Rodney Marsh began his QPR Career
March 19, 1966: Marsh made his debut away to Peterborough. Drew 1-1 and didn't score.The team for Marsh's debut: Peter Springett -Langley, Hunt Sibley Watson - Lazarus, Keen, Roger Morgan, Allen, Collins Marsh.

Thiry-Nine Years Ago, QPR Humiliation
March 19, 1969: Humiliation! Manchester United 8 QPR 1 (Marsh scored for QPR - one of four he scored that season!) AsI recall, the half time score was Man Ut 1 QPR 0 (or 2-1). Manchester United scored 4 of their goals in the last 15 minutes. It was a terrible season for QPR but this result was the worst!
QPR's Team:
Spratley
Clement Hazell Hunt Watson
Glover I.Morgan Sibley
Clarke Marsh Leach
Sub: Keetch for Clarke
Manchester United Scorers: Willie Morgan 3, George Best 2, John Aston, Brian Kidd and Nobby Stiles got the goals.
Man Ut's Team included: Stepney, Fitzpatrick, Dunne, Crerand, James, Stiles, Morgan, Kidd, Aston, Law, Best

BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays Today: Mike Keen, Andy Sinton and Roy Wegerle and Warren Barton-

1967 Hero and Captain, Mike Keen, turnd 68: Born March 19, 1940.
Keen made more than 400 QPR appearances from 1959 to 1968/1969, midfielder/winghalf and Captain, Mike Keen. Captained QPR from 3rd to 1st Division and in the League Cup Final.
Keen was probably not very well treated by QPR at the end. He was sold to Alec Stock's Luton when we were in our Relegation Fight...and Keen then proceeded to lead Luton to promotion out of Division 3 (and returned to Loftus Road with Luton in 1970/71, scoring the winning goal!). Keen then joined Watford. Managed Watford and Northampton and then-non-League Wycombe,. Was briefly a coach at QPR when Frank Sibley was manager. His son played for West Ham and Wolves. Keen was recently back at Loftus Road with several members of the 1967 squad.

From Sunday Times, April 6 2003 "Where are they now"
"Mike Keen - One of the old school of half-backs Keen was a skilful player who enjoyed delivering long passes, and he was a strong, clinical tackler. He was a QPR stalwart who joined the club in 1958, and played in 393 League matches. After a change of managers, he moved to Luton before finishing his playing career at Watford. He was appointed manager at Vicarage Road and enjoyed four years at the club, where he set about engendering the spirit he had experienced as a player at Loftus Road. He managed Northampton for a year before taking charge of Wycombe part-time and then Marlow while he concentrated on running Sport and Ski, a shop in Wycombe. He lives in Flackwell Heath in Buckinghamshire, and is manager of a shop in Oxfordshire that sells outdoor gear and ski equipment." Paper
See Also: Photo (Front row, sitting next to Chairman, Jim Gregory) - Photo

Andy Sinton Turns 42: Born, March 19, 1966 (the day of Marsh's debut!) Sinton Record
Signed by Trevor Francis from Brentford for 350,000 pounds. Sold 4 years later to Sheffield Wednesday for almost 3 million pouns

Roy Wegerle Turns 44 - Born March 19, 1964
Wegerle's Record - Don Howe's first signing when he became QPR manager. Signed from Luton for 1 million pounds. Sold a couple of years later by Gerry Francis to Blackburn for just over a million pounds.

Brief QPR Signing, Warren Barton - Barton born March 19, 1969 (the day of QPR's humiliating loss to Manchester United!)

And slightly belated (apologies!) Gary Waddock Turned 46.
Garry Waddock: Born March 17, 1962 Waddock's QPR Playing Record
Given his debut as a 17 year old, by Tommy Docherty, in September 1979 - in our first season after Steve Burtenshaw took QPR down. (A QPR team which was also giving games to Clive Allen and Paul Goddard and others). His coaching and managerial career at QPR ended within weeks of John Gregory replacing him as manager. Career/Wikipedia

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QPR Reserves drew 1-1 at home to Southampton. In goal, was QPR's American goalie, Matt Pickens. On the subs bench: QPR's other American goalie, Reece Crowther .

QPR's loanee from Chelsea, Michael Mancienne is again in the England U-21 squad. (No place for Dexter Blackstock).
Full Squad: ENGLAND UNDER-21 SQUAD v Poland (25 March, Molineux): Goalkeepers: Hart (Manchester City), Heaton (Manchester United). Defenders: Dann, Fox (both Coventry City), Gardner (Aston Villa), Mancienne (QPR, on loan), Mattock (Leicester City), Onuoha (Manchester City), Shawcross (Stoke City). Midfielders: Cattermole, A Johnson (both Middlesbrough), M Johnson (Manchester City), Leadbitter (Sunderland), O'Hara (Tottenham Hotspur), Surman (Southampton). Forwards: Campbell (Hull City, on loan), Derbyshire (Blackburn Rovers), Jerome (Birmingham City), Miller (West Bromwich Albion), Moore (West Bromwich, on loan). Independent


QPR Official Site: - ALL SQUARE FOR RESERVES
Rangers Reserves drew 1-1 with Southampton in a thoroughly entertaining Pontin's Holidays Combination League fixture at Loftus Road this evening (Tuesday).
The hosts took the lead early in the first half through Angelo Balanta, but the Saints drew level shortly after when Cedric Baseya headed home from six yards.
The R's can be grateful to debut-boy Matt Pickens for ensuring a share of the spoils, as the Rangers keeper pulled off three stunning point-blank saves after the break to keep the visitors at bay.
Pickens, yet to feature for the First Team following his recent arrival on a short-term contract until the end of the season, frustrated Southampton with some excellent stops, most notably in the closing minutes to deny Matthew Paterson who looked to have scored on the half-volley from 12 yards.
The Rangers keeper was equal to it, however, and brought rapturous applause for his stop from the South Africa Road Stand.
QPR took the lead on seven minutes when Terry Smith - who worked tirelessly in the middle of the park alongside Matt O'Brien - slid a perfect through ball for the on-rushing Balanta.
The Colombian forward made no mistake with just Saints keeper Matej Rondos to beat, as he coolly found the bottom corner from 16 yards.
Unfortunately the hosts' lead was short-lived. Southampton worked an excellent opening with some slick one-touch football before Josh Dutton-Black picked out Cedric Baseya with a pin-point delivery from the left wing.

The latter gave Pickens no chance, as he stooped to head home the equaliser from close range.

As the half wore on, it was the visitors who looked the more likely to add to their tally, and on 33 minutes they would have done so but for an excellent stop from Pickens to deny Baseya from distance.

After the break, it was end-to-end action as both sides, to their credit, looked for the winner.

Balanta went close twice, but pulled his efforts wide, while substitute Aaron Morgan saw his shot from a tight angle deflected away for a corner.

At the other end, Pickens was the star of the show as he did his best to keep the Saints out. And when he was beaten from eight yards following a goal-mouth scramble, Billy Coyne was on hand to clear off the line.

Romone Rose nearly won it in the closing stages with what would have been a stunning solo effort.

After picking the ball up in the right-back position, Rose raced the length of the field before firing his effort just wide of the far post.

QPR: Matt Pickens, Billy Coyne, Chris Barker, Matt O'Brien, Josh Ford, Zesh Rehman, Angelo Balanta, Terry Smith, Antonio German, Romone Rose, Chris Arthur.
Subs: Reece Crowther, Lee Brown, Michael Wright, Aaron Morgan

Southampton: Matej Rondos, Jamie Hatch, Oscar Gobern, Lloyd James, Oliver Lancashire, Jake Thomson, Adam Lallana, Matthew Paterson, Cedric Baseya, Andrew Giallombardo, Josh Dutton-Black
Subs: Kayne McLaggon, Liam Hogan, Ian Jones, Lukas Stiklakis QPR

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Mazel Tov/Congratulations to Dave Thomas (A Kick Up The Rs) and Clive Whittingham (Loft for Words)!

FANZINE AWARDS SHORTLIST - Fanzine Awards Shortlist Categories

BEST CHAMPIONSHIP FANZINES -SHORTLIST
Here are the shortlisted entries for the Championship category:
Bristol City One Team in Bristol
Burnley Clarets MAD
Burnley When the Ball Moves
Crystal Palace The Holmesdale Online
Ipswich Town Those Were The Days (TWTD)
Plymouth Argyle Greens On Screen
QPR A Kick Up The R's
QPR Loft For Words
Stoke City The Oatcake
Watford Gloryhorns

BEST EDITOR SHORTLIST
Here are the shortlisted entries for the Best Editor category:
Aston Villa Jonathan Fear , Vital Villa
Bradford Mike Harrison, The City Gent
Everton Sausage, Bluekipper
FC United of Manchester Simon Howles AKA Wolfie, Under The Boardwalk
Ipswich Town Philip Ham, Those Were The Days
Middlesbrough Rob Nichols, Fly Me To The Moon
Notts County Paul Edgar, Youpies.co.uk
QPR Clive Whittingham, Loft For Words
Sunderland Martyn McFadden, A Love Supreme
Tottenham Jim Duggan, Topspurs.com

BEST BLOG SHORTLIST
Here are shortlisted entries for the Best Blog category:
Aston Villa AVFC Blog
Celtic Celtic Quick news
Fulham Craven Cottage Newsround
General The 100 Football Grounds Club
Liverpool Kop Blog
QPR QPR Report
Rangers Fat Eck
Sunderland Sobs on Soccer
Watford BHaPPY
Best Blog Shortlist

See Also: Earlier, Broader Nominations

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De Canio Interviewed (in Italian) Posted on the QPR Italian Fansite QPR Italia - Interview in Italian

English Web Translation of De Canio Interview - Google Web Translation

Couple of snippets from the interview: Interested in signing Kieran Lee permanently from Manchester United (note: even though scarcely played him). Thought Francesco Coco would be training for them longer, but didnt.

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Football 365 BUZSAKY COMMITTED TO RANGERS
Queens Park Rangers midfielder Akos Buzsaky has brushed off rumours he could join Portsmouth in the summer.
Reports have claimed that Pompey are ready to offer £2.5million for the Hungary international at the end of the season.
Buzsaky has proved a big hit at QPR after scoring nine goals in 26 appearances since joining from Plymouth Argyle last October.
The 25-year-old is determined to play in the Premier League, but wants his ambition to be fulfilled with QPR, not Portsmouth.
"I've read the article about my 'move' on the internet, but I think it's no more than gossip," Buzsaky told Nemzeti Sport.
When asked if he would join Pompey if he was offered a move to Fratton Park, Buzsaky replied: "Honestly? I think I wouldn't go.
"One shouldn't misunderstand my words, my dream is to play in the Premier League - but as a player of QPR.
"I don't know how much I am worth on the football market, but this (£2.5m) is a huge amount. But fortunately our team doesn't have financial problems.
"My contract expires in 2010 and, yes, I do want to stay here. I feel excellent here and the conditions here are suitable for my improvement.
"What's more, I am sure that my team is going to get promoted to the Premier League in the near future. I have to be patient and I am patient.
"QPR officials stated that they want me to fight for promotion with the team in the future and I'm their partner in this.
"I want to play in the Premiership with my present team - and not as a player of Portsmouth." Football 365

Australia: The Age/Michael Lynch - Victory's Wards off rivals in the Nick of time
MIDFIELDER Nick Ward already has made a big impression in his short time at Melbourne Victory, but the tall West Australian, now fully fit, yesterday sounded a warning to the club's Asian Champions League rivals: "My best is yet to come."
The 22-year-old, the A-League's Young Player of the Year in its inaugural season, has battled injury, groin strains and a lack of fitness since he signed with Victory in December, ending an unhappy spell at English club Queens Park Rangers.
Even though, by his own admission, he was barely half-fit, Ward caught the eye with a handful of cameo performances, notably on debut in Melbourne's shock 5-2 away win against Central Coast on New Year's Eve.
The former Perth Glory player has benefited from the time off since the end of the A-League season to recover from niggling injuries and to build strength and endurance through an intensive fitness program with former Australian Olympic sprinter, Adam Basil.
And now, Ward believes he is ready to show the sort of performances that won him a call-up to the Socceroos' squad for its first Asian Cup qualifier away to Bahrain in February 2006.
"I am definitely full of confidence now, my body is coming right …" Ward said after Melbourne completed a workout at the Thai Army Sports Stadium in Bangkok yesterday ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League clash with FC Chonburi.
"I thought we created a lot of chances. We probably could have had a few goals in the first half and I was pretty happy getting through 73 minutes," he said.
"My groin was terrible in the closing stages of the A-League, I was pretty much playing on painkillers, but now I have had a good six weeks off and I have only really been back in training for a week-and-a-half, so there's definitely a lot more to come from me.
"I am getting stronger week by week. The fitness program I have been put through, I feel in way better form than I have for a long time. When I was first in England, I was pretty good, but then I got injuries and was in and out of the team. Since I have been back here, Adam Basil has worked on me a lot.
"Now I am excited about playing and feeling good. There's nothing better than playing regular football."
Ward originally signed a six-month contract that would have taken him to the end of the Champions League group phase. Recently, he signed a 12-month extension, so he will be available for the entirety of the A-League next season. The Age

Setanta - Alex Livie/ Figo cools QPR talk
Luis Figo has poured cold water on reports linking him with a move to Queens Park Rangers.
The Portuguese wing wizard is no longer a regular starter for Inter and his days in Milan could well be numbered.
He has been linked with big-money moves to Qatar and United States, but recent reports have suggested he could be lured to Loftus Road by R’s owners Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore.
The rumours were fuelled by Figo’s arrival in London, but his trip is due to his ambassadorial role for the Stop TB Charity and he was in the dark about rumours linking him with Rangers.
“It is a surprise for me, I don’t know what to say,” Figo said on Setanta Sports News. “There is nothing real, so there is nothing to say.”
Figo also laughed off reports which suggested he had purchased a home in the English capital.
He added: “I would like to, it is a good investment, but it is not true.” Setanta

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Mirror/Derek McGovern - Figo's Helena to be put to Sword
If I had as much money as supermodel swordsman Flavio Briatore, I'd have it in a very safe bank.
I'd also have it in the bike shed, on a plane, in the Jacuzzi, in fact pretty much anywhere and with anyone, though chiefly Naomi Campbell.
Italian playboy and F1 boss Briatore has so much money he doesn't know who to do with it.
But the amazing thing is, he's a pauper compared to fellow QPR owners Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal, with whom he has launched a charm offensive at Loftus Road. Briatore's the charm, Ecclestone the offensive.
When the three go out to dinner, Briatore has revealed, it's the other two who generally pick up the tab, no doubt leaving Flavio to pick up the girls.
It's Briatore's plan to move QPR to a bigger stadium, one large enough to accommodate his wallet, and he has further shown his ambition by trying to sign Portuguese legend Luis Figo.
Swarthy Figo is not the player he was - in fact he's a five o'clock shadow of his former self - but Briatore knows he would pull in the crowds, leaving him free to try to pull Figo's impossibly beautiful supermodel wife Helena Svedin.
Qpr, moving up the Championship table as coolly as Briatore trying to pull a supermodel, are 6-1 with Bet365 to reach the play-offs this season and 12-1 to get promoted.
More intriguingly they get a 20-1 quote from Paddy Power to be playing in the Champions League before the end of 2012, and Figo is 7-1 to be at Loftus Road at the start of next season.
Additional reporting by John Shaw - Mirror

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BBC- Dexter Blackstock's Perspective
Play-offs now a long shot for QPR

Dexter Blackstock has scored two goals this season (Getty Images)
QPR striker Dexter Blackstock says they will probably have to win every game if they are going to make the play-offs.
"If we win all our games or six out of the last seven we might have a sniff," Blackstock told BBC London 94.9 after Saturday's 3-1 win over Scunthorpe.

Rangers have hit form, losing just once in their last ten home games, scoring 22 goals in those matches.

"I think we might have left it a bit too late this year so we're building for next year," said Blackstock.

Saturday's win lifted QPR to 12th, just seven points shy of the play-off pack but also, perhaps more importantly in the short term, eight points clear of trouble.

"Getting over the 50-points barrier was massive," admitted Blackstock. "If we hadn't won today or on Tuesday night we could have been only two points off relegation.

"There's some massive teams down there scrapping to stay in this league and we don't want to be in that dogfight.

"But next year we're looking for promotion, no two ways about it." BBC


SCUNTHORPE OFFICIAL SITE - SCUNTHORPE PERSPECTIVE

PLAYER WATCH FROM LOFTUS ROAD
Posted on: Sun 16 Mar 2008

A full review of Geoff Horsfield's performance against QPR at Loftus Road, following his every move in the game brought to you by www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk.

It was a game which - particularly in the second half - he struggled to get involved in, as the Iron were forced to defend deeply against a threatening QPR side.

It was always going to be a tough fixture for United coming away to such a big club, however they certainly showed the home team what they are made of in the first half as we had most possession of the ball, creating chances, and taking to an early lead after eight minutes.

Unfortunately, the Iron conceded a penalty on the stroke of half-time, which in many eyes saw Scunthorpe begin to fade, as QPR began to come through as the stronger side, to then take them into a 3-1 victory.

It was another agonising defeat for the Iron, who still insist on giving everything they have got to stay in this league.

Geoff Horsfield

Horsfield started the game up front by himself, with Matt Sparrow playing just behind him and Paul Hayes being moved to play on the right-wing.

The Horse got his first touch of the ball two minutes into the game when the fourth official flagged him for handling as he received the ball from a Joe Murphy free kick.

Sixth minute - He won a free kick for the Iron after being held back by QPR's Fitz Hall outside the penalty area, which was taken by Grant McCann who slotted the ball into the goalkeeper's bottom left hand corner to give the Iron an eighth minute lead.

11th minute - Horsfield failed to get on to the end of Cork's cross which was deflected and resulted in the Iron's first corner of the game.

16th minute - Horsfield was brought down 15 yards from QPR's penalty area but no free kick was given, shortly followed by another tackle on him to win the Iron a free kick in their half.

18th minute - McCann took the Iron's second corner of the game, with Horsfield heading the ball over the crossbar.

After not having much involvement for a spell, the Horse managed a header into the QPR penalty area, for McCann to then produce a dangerous shot, but went wide to the right of the goal.

36th minute - Horsfield gave away a free kick just outside the right of the Iron penalty area for a challenge on Michael Mancienne. Buzsaky then took the free kick, and it was a wasteful effort as the ball went straight over the top of the cross bar.

40 minutes into the game and Horsfield made a defensive clearance moments away from the Iron conceding a penalty after Izzy Iriekpen's foul, which gave Martin Rowlands the perfect opportunity to get QPR back in the game bringing the scoreline up to 1-1 on the verge of half time.

In the first half, the Iron had looked every inch a threat to QPR having put on a great performance in a high tempo opening period, marking a big improvement from the away performance at Hull City last week.

Two minutes into the second half, Horsfield is fouled yet again by Fitz Hall to win the Iron a freekick from 20 yards out. The free kick was then rolled in by Jim Goodwin to Horsfield, who turned to have a shot on target, but saw it saved by the keeper.

52nd minute - He was fouled by Mancienne to win the Iron a freekick about 10 yards from the penalty box. The free kick was then taken by Jim Goodwin which went a shade too high for Andy Crosby to get onto the end of and went out for a goal kick.

QPR started to look more of a threat to United, gaining more of the possession, leaving Horsfield with little to do. When the Iron gain possession in the opposition's half, clearances are made by QPR, leaving us with few chances, as they gain back possession of the ball again.

Fitz Hall however keeps up a habit of holding Horsfield back every time he receives the ball.

Midway in the QPR half, the Horse manages to flick on a header meant for Matt Sparrow, who was ahead of him towards the penalty box, but QPR then gained possession of the ball again taking it back into the Iron half.

77 minutes into the second half and still Horsfield hasn't really had much possession of the ball, maybe beginning to tire himself out a little.

After conceding a second goal, the Iron defence are finding themselves with more and more work to be done to not let another goal be conceded by defending deeper as QPR are now looking by far the stronger side.

90th minute - Goodwin takes an Iron free kick 15 metres from the penalty box, hitting the ball through to an un-alert Horsfield, resulting in the ball going out for a goal kick.

By Sara Steels Scunthorpe
Sunday Mirror - John Gubba - LUIGI JOY AS HOOPS ROLL ON
Martin Rowlands' hotly disputed penalty inspired a win that hoisted Queens Park Rangers one place further up the table, and all but banished the fear of relegation that had haunted them earlier this season.

Late goals by Patrick Agyemang and Rowan Vine finished Scunthorpe off, and left Rangers fans celebrating another impressive win under manager Luigi De Canio.

But the manner of defeat was hard to swallow for the visitors, who had taken the lead through Grant McCann's brilliant eighth-minute free-kick.

"It wasn't a penalty and it's not the first time this season that a big decision has gone against us," complained frustrated boss Nigel Adkins, after seeing his players lose their way in the fallout of the penalty drama at the end of the first half.

"We feel very, very hard done by yet again," he added.

Adkins' men were left fuming when referee Mike Thorpe pointed to the spot after Izzy Iriekpen's tackle sent Vine crashing as they challenged for a ball heading well away from goal.

Keeper Joe Murphy was booked in the prolonged protests, before Rowlands sent him the wrong way from the spot to make it level at the break.

It was a crushing blow for the visitors and De Canio admitted it was not a good overall display by the referee.

"On several other occasions I thought the referee did not favour us, and I accepted his mistakes," he said.

"What I will take from this game is the attitude of my team, who showed constant hunger. This is what I have been looking for."

Rangers' persistence finally saw Agyemang drill Rangers ahead late on when he was set up by Akos Buzsaky.

Watched by Bernie Ecclestone - who chose Loftus Road rather than the start of the Formula One season in Australia - Vine completed Rangers' win when he lobbed home deep into injury-time.

It completed a rousing fightback after Fitz Hall's early foul on Geoff Horsfield conceded the free-kick from which McCann beat Lee Camp with ease from 20 yards.

HOW THEY RATED
QPR
Camp 6, Mancienne 6, Hall 6 Connolly 6, Delaney 6, BUZSAKY 8 (Mahon 5), Rowlands 7 (Stewart 5), Leigertwood 6, Vine 6, Agyemang 7 (Lee 5), Blackstock 6.
Manager De Canio 6

SCUNTHORPE
Murphy 7, Iriekpen 6, Crosby 6, Baraclough 6, Butler 6, Hayes 6 (Hurst 5), Goodwin 7, Cork 6, Sparrow 6, McCann 7 (May 5), Horsfield 6.

Manager Adkins 6

Referee M Thorpe 5

MAN OF THE MATCH AKOS BUZSAKY -Another quality display on the right of midfield Sunday Mirror

Also: Earlier QPR-Scunthorpe Report and comments

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Gary Waddock's Aldershot lost out.

BBC-Aldershot 1-1 Ebbsfleet (2-4)
Ebbsfleet United booked a trip to Wembley in May with a gutsy FA Trophy semi-final victory over Conference leaders Aldershot.
After doing the hard work with their 3-1 first-leg victory a week ago, Ebbsfleet were given an uncomfortable final half hour.
Junior Mendes halved their advantage with his 61st minute goal.
But defender Michael Bostwick levelled in the final minute to end any doubt and book a meeting with Torquay United.
Torquay, who had also opened up a two-goal first-leg lead, kept their nerve despite losing 1-0 to York City at Bootham Crescent, only to go through 2-1 on aggregate. BBC

Also: Pre-Match Aldershot Perspective

No Lee Cook (or Scott Sinclair) in Charlton's 16 which lost 0-2 at Ipswich. . BBC
Before the Game:
Charlton's Pardewon Charlton's Official Site -:
"...In terms of team news, Pardew confirmed that Madjid Bougherra will again miss out with the troublesome foot injury which has sidelined him since the Crystal Palace game at Floyd Road, while loan signing Lee Cook is still not quite match fit.
..."Lee has come here to try and play but his conditioning was quite low when he arrived and we're trying to get him up to speed. The closer we can get him the more you're going to see of him. He isn't too far away now and we're hoping over the next seven days that he will be in full contention."Charlton


Ex-QPR's at Yeovil lost 0-2 at Bournemouth...
Bournemouth 2-0 Yeovil
Yeovil: Flinders, Peltier, Guyett, Forbes, Lynch, Woods, Christophe, Rose (Williams 45), Church (Owusu 61), Stewart (Barry 80), Kirk.
Subs Not Used: Alcock, Bircham. BBC

Also Gillingham QPRs Lost: Gillingham 0 Crewe 3
Gillingham: Royce, Fuller, Bygrave, King, Nutter, Bentley (Oli 64), Crofts, Maher, Miller, Mulligan (Jackson 81), Facey (Griffiths 64). Subs Not Used: Stillie, Clohessy. BBC

Two for Dougie Freedman at Leeds who drew 3-3 at Port Vale... BBC

Kenny Jackett's Millwall lost 0-1 at home to Orient. Bignott on the bench. BBC

Mick Harford/Warren Neil/Paul Furlong's Luton won for the first time under Harford: 3-0 vs Oldham - BBC

Kevin Gallen got MK Don's fourth goal against Tony Roberts' Dagenham. Again no Baidoo
in the squad - BBC

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It's been rumoured on the QPR messageboard; now it's in the newspaper!

Daily Mail/Bob Cass - QPR's billionaire owners ready to splash out on Figo

The billionaires of Queens Park Rangers are close to completing the extraordinary signing of former Real Madrid star Luis Figo.

QPR owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone and steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal believe the 35-year-old former world player of the year can spearhead a return to the Premier League next season under the management of Italian Luigi De Canio.

Talks between Rangers and Figo's representatives have been taking place over the past few weeks and only minor details need to be cleared up before the Portuguese midfielder makes the switch from Inter Milan when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Figo, who left Real Madrid in 2006, has made 18 appearances for Inter this season and was on the verge of joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad last summer before pulling out of the deal.

He kicked off the era of the galacticos at Real Madrid when he joined in a hugely controversial £35 million deal from hated rivals Barcelona in 2000, which enabled Florentino Perez to be elected as club president and sign Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham in subsequent seasons. He was the 2000 European Footballer of the Year and voted FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001.

Formula One supremo Ecclestone and Renault team owner Briatore have already transformed the west London club with more than £2m of spending in the January transfer window, which has seen the club climb out of the relegation zone in the Championship and make an unlikely push for a play-off. Mail


News of The World - Its QP-Carr
QPR want to sign Newcastle right-back Stephen Carr in the summer.
Republic of Ireland defender Carr played 226 league games for Spurs before making a £2million move to the Toon in 2004.
But he is ready to move back to London and is thrilled at the prospect of joining Rangers, who are co-owned by Formula One billionaires Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briartore.
Carr has struggled with injury this season and made just 12 appearances for Kevin Keegan's struggling team. News of The World

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With 7 games remaining, QPR now have 51 points after their come-from-behind 3-1 at home to relegation rivals, Scunthorpe. QPR's goals from Rowlands, Agyemang and Vine. QPR SHOULD be safe, but it's a crazy season, and possibly QPR will need a couple more points to be assured.


QPR OFFICIAL SITE REPORT
Martin Rowlands, Patrick Agyemang and Rowan Vine were all on target, as the R's came from behind to send Scunthorpe United spiraling towards League One.

Rangers trailed to Grant McCann's fine free-kick, only for the hosts to respond courtesy of a debatable Rowlands spot-kick.

Agyemang put the R's in front when he smashed home Akos Buzsaky's classy 79th minute through ball, before Vine put the icing on the cake with a well-taken third goal in stoppage time.

Following hot on the heels of Tuesday's 3-2 victory against Blackpool, De Canio named an unchanged starting XI.

Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins opted for experienced front-man Geoff Horsfield in attack, which meant former Millwall striker Ben May had to make do with a place amongst the substitutes.

Buoyed by their impressive recent home record, the R's - kicking towards the Loft End - made a positive start.

Patrick Agyemang's cross was met by the on-rushing Dexter Blackstock in the fourth minute, but he could only knee the ball into the grasp of Iron custodian Murphy.

But it was Scunthorpe who grabbed a surprise eighth minute lead, when Fitz Hall was harshly penalised for a foul on Horsfield and McCann stepped up to curl a sublime 25-yard free-kick in to the bottom right hand corner.

The R's responded in the only way they know how, peppering the Scunthorpe rearguard with a series of balls into the box.

They were very nearly rewarded in the ninth minute, only for Agyemang's strike to be ruled out for offside, after Murphy failed to hold on to Martin Rowlands' initial deflected effort.

As the R's continued to throw men forward, Murphy came to Scunthorpe's rescue, diving full stretch to his left to tip Agyemang's close range volley wide, after Akos Buzsaky fed the ball in from the right flank.

Damien Delaney was getting forward at every available opportunity and when Buzsaky and Rowan Vine combined to devastating effect, the R's full-back thrashed a left footed drive inches wide of Murphy's left hand upright.

At the other end, Jim Goodwin fired into the side netting, but it was Rangers who continued to pose the greater attacking threat heading into the break.

The inevitable equaliser arrived three minutes before half-time, when Izzy Iriekpen was harshly adjudged to have sent Vine tumbling to ground inside the box and Rowlands stepped up to send Murphy the wrong way from the spot.

Each and every Scunthorpe player bemoaned referee Mr Thorpe's decision, and both Andy Crosby and Murphy were booked for their part in the protests.

The second half took time to catch fire, as Scunthorpe continued to frustrate the R's with their impressive work ethic and dogged determination.

The major talking point of the early exchanges centered around a brief altercation in the 64th minute, which eventually resulted in Hall picking up a yellow card for his involvement.
The R's faithful were made to wait until the 72nd minute mark to see Rangers create a chance, as Mikele Leigertwood fired wide after expertly bringing down Rowlands' neatly disguised pass.

Buzsaky went close soon after with a back post volley, as Scunthorpe became encamped in their own half.

Rangers' continued to knock at the door and in the 79th minute Buzsaky found the key to unlock it.

Picking up possession from Rowlands, the Magical Magyar played a double one-two with Agyemang, which resulted in the latter facing a one-on-one contest with Murphy.

The R's hit-man took one touch to set himself, before firing into the roof of the Scunthorpe net, for his ninth goal in QPR colours - and his 13th of the campaign.

Scunthorpe rallied briefly, but Camp was in the right position to save with his feet, as Matt Sparrow fired a late effort goalwards.

Vine put the seal on the R's comeback when he delicately lofted the ball beyond Murphy, to cap a scintillating second half display from De Canio's men.

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mancienne, Blackstock, Buzsaky (Mahon 81), Rowlands (Stewart 92), Connolly, Agyemang (Lee 93), Vine, Hall, Leigertwood.

Subs: Pickens, Balanta.

Scorers: Rowlands 42 (pen), Agyemang 79, Vine 94

Bookings: Connolly 55, Hall 64, Leigertwood 80

Red Cards:

Scunthorpe United: Murphy, Crosby, Iriekpen, Sparrow, Goodwin, Hayes (Hurst 87), Baraclough, Horsfield, Cork, McCann (May 83), Butler.

Subs: Hobbs, Lillis, Horlock.

Scorers: McCann 8

Bookings: Crosby 42, Murphy 42

Red Cards:

Referee: Mr M Thorpe

Attendance: 14, 499
Match Report

De Canio

COMEBACK DELIGHTS DE CANIO

Luigi De Canio praised his players 'attitude and resilience,' after seeing them come from a goal down to ease past sorry Scunthorpe.
Goals from Martin Rowlands, Patrick Agyemang and Rowan Vine cancelled out Grant McCann's opener, as the R's returned to the top half of the table in convincing style.
"The attitude of the squad was first class," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"On several occasions this season we've been very complacent, but today the attitude was fantastic.

"The players really wanted to win the game and we were resilient in our approach right up until the final whistle when Vine scored our third goal."

De Canio continued: "I don't think anyone can have any complaints with the final scoreline.

"We played very well and took full advantage of the clear-cut chances that we created.

"They (Scunthorpe) made us work very hard for the three points and their Manager deserves a lot of credit for the way he set his side up.

"But our players were excellent and the fighting spirit told in the end."

The win lifted Rangers to within seven points of the play-off's, but De Canio refused to be drawn upon a late charge to the top-six, commenting: "We're reaching new heights all the time, but it seems impossible to me.

"I am happy with the direction we are heading in, but it is important not to get too carried away." QPR

ITV.com
De Canio remains wary of drop March 15 2008

QPR boss Luigi De Canio insists his team are not yet safe from relegation following their 3-1 win at home to struggling Scunthorpe.

Grant McCann put the visitors ahead but Martin Rowlands equalised with a penalty, and second-half goals from Patrick Agyemang and Rowan Vine left 12th-placed Rangers seven points away from the top six.

But De Canio said: "I didn't think reaching the play-offs was possible before this game and I haven't changed my mind.

"And while some might say relegation is not possible either, I know from personal experience that is not yet the case.

"When I was at Siena in Italy, we were bottom of Serie A and Bologna were in the UEFA Cup places. We stayed up and in the end it was Bologna that went down."

Scunthorpe went in front against De Canio's side when McCann curled a 25-yard free-kick into the bottom corner.

Agyemang then found the net but was denied a goal by an offside flag, before Rangers eventually equalised in controversial circumstances.

Vine seemed to be tackled fairly by Izzy Iriekpen as he attempted to latch onto Rowlands' through ball, but a penalty was awarded and Rowlands made no mistake with his spot-kick, sending keeper Joe Murphy the wrong way.

Rangers improved after the break but had to wait until 11 minutes before half-time for their all-important second goal.

It came when Agyemang exchanged passes with Akos Buzsaky before firing past the onrushing Murphy for his first goal in seven matches.

And Scunthorpe's fate was sealed in injury time, when former QPR man Ian Baraclough failed to cut out Mikele Leigertwood's crossfield ball and Vine nipped in to score.

"We have given away leads several times this season so it was good to come from behind this time," De Canio added.

"At times we have gone ahead and got complacent, but this time the attitude of the players was exactly what I wanted it to be.

"I never lost faith in them - even when we were 1-0 down. They played the way I wanted them to and showed real desire to win the game."

Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins claimed referee Mike Thorpe's decision to award Rangers a penalty changed the complexion of the game.

Adkins said: "It wasn't a penalty. We were doing well and then that decision went against us, but I have to be careful what I say.

"It's not the first time this season that kind of thing has happened to us and we are very disappointed indeed.

"Consistently this season we have played good football and yet again a decision has gone against us. We've not had much luck.

"We want to play football the right way and have shown we can do that and compete in this division, but it's all about winning and picking up points.

"The turning point today was the penalty. We feel hard done by." ITV.com

Updated Table


BBC - QPR 3-1 Scunthorpe
Late goals from Patrick Agyemang and Rowan Vine saw QPR come from behind for a third consecutive home win.

Relegation-threatened Scunthorpe took the lead on eight minutes with Gavin McCann's curling 20-yard free-kick.

A Martin Rowlands penalty two minutes before half-time put the Hoops level, and in the 79th minute Agyemang fired into the roof of the net from 18 yards.

Vine sealed the win deep in the fourth minute of injury time with a well-taken finish from 12 yards.

QPR: Camp, Mancienne, Buzsaky (Mahon 81), Connolly, Delaney, Vine, Leigertwood, Rowlands (Stewart 90), Hall, Agyemang (Lee 90), Blackstock.
Subs Not Used: Pickens, Balanta.

Booked: Connolly, Hall, Leigertwood.

Goals: Rowlands 43 pen, Agyemang 79, Vine 90.

Scunthorpe: Murphy, Iriekpen, Crosby, Baraclough, Butler, Sparrow, McCann (May 83), Goodwin, Cork, Hayes (Hurst 87), Horsfield.
Subs Not Used: Hobbs, Lillis, Horlock.

Booked: Murphy.

Goals: McCann 8.

Att: 14,499

Ref: Mike Thorpe (Suffolk). BBC


SCUNTHORPE OFFICIAL SITE

QPR vs Scunthorpe
Queen's Park Rangers Football Club
3 - 1
Scunthorpe United Football Club
Date:
15/03/2008
Venue:
Loftus Road
Attendance:
14499
Referee:
M Thorpe

United's Championship survival hopes took a big blow at Queens Park Rangers, as they were defeated 3-1.

They were the better team in the first half and were rewarded with Grant McCann's early free-kick, which was his first-ever strike for the club.

However, the hosts were handed a chance to get back into the game just before the half-time interval when Izzy Iriekpen was harshly judged to have fouled Rowan Vine in the penalty area.

Martin Rowlands promptly dispatched the spot-kick, and the hosts won it with twelve minutes remaining as Patrick Agyemang slammed home the winner.

The North Lincolnshire side pressed late on, but Vine capitalised on a defensive mix-up to calmly clip the ball past Joe Murphy, and finish the match off.

Scunthorpe are now six points adrift of safety with eight matches remaining after Leicester were victorious at West Bromwich Albion.

The Iron entered the game making two changes from the side which defeated Plymouth Argyle 1-0 in midweek.

Martin Paterson (hamstring) and Ian Morris (illness) both missed out, so Paul Hayes and Matt Sparrow came into the team as manager Nigel Adkins opted to line up with a 4-5-1 formation.

The fixture started in a frenetic manner with both teams battling for supremacy in the middle of the park during the opening five minutes. Both sides had threatened on the break, with the hosts registering a couple of tame efforts on target.

Scunthorpe had to wait until the seventh minute for their first chance, and they made sure they took it. Geoff Horsfield was fouled by Fitz Hall on the edge of the penalty area and, as a result, United won a free-kick.

Jim Goodwin and McCann sized up the opportunity, and from 25 yards the former Barnsley man curled in a sublime left-footed effort which left Hoops stopper Lee Camp helpless. The ball nestled into his bottom left-hand corner and the Iron contingent behind the goal erupted. It was his first goal in a United shirt.

Two minutes later, QPR thought they had levelled, but Akos Buzsaky was ruled to be in an offside position when he slotted home a loose ball.

United's change in tactics seemed to work in the opening stages. They were having the best of the attacking possession and Horsfield was proving a more than useful foil for the pace of onrushing pace of Sparrow, Hayes and Cork. The on-loan Sheffield United man also won a number of free-kicks.

The target man headed over the crossbar from a McCann corner on 18 minutes and then the latter came close again with a free-kick three minutes later. This time it was from 30 yards but it forced a spectacular save from Camp low to his left.

Iron keeper Murphy was forced into action on 24 minutes when Patrick Agyemang's shot from point-blank range was tipped out low to his left. It was a superb save from the Republic of Ireland international.

It was an all-action affair, and McCann had another opportunity on 26 minutes, but his volleyed effort from the left-hand side of the penalty area, after Hayes' cross, cleared the crossbar.

Then, at the other end, former Hull man Damien Delaney came close on the break with a low effort struck across goal from the left-hand side of the penalty area, which Murphy seemed to have covered as it went wide of goal.

On 33 minutes, Goodwin had Scunthorpe's next chance with a blockbuster of an effort from the edge of the 18-yard box after the ball had only been partially cleared. His stinging volley just cleared Camp's top left-hand corner.

McCann, thriving in the space afforded to him, then curled another effort just over the crossbar from the left-hand side of the penalty area as the visitors continued attempting to extend their lead.

Despite the Iron's attacking intent, the home team were to level on 43 minutes - after referee Mick Thorpe pointed to the penalty spot following Iriekpen's' foul' on Vine. It was a contentious decision, which brought furious protests from Scunthorpe.

Andy Crosby and Murphy were both booked as a result, and Rowlands calmly stepped up to send the United goalkeeper the wrong way with a side-footed effort. It proved to be the last action of an entertaining opening half.

The away side had their first chance of the second period on 47 minutes when Goodwin took a short free-kick, which allowed Horsfield the space to drive in a low angled shot from the left, which Camp was equal to.

The second half was not being played in the same vein as the first, with both teams struggling to get the ball down. In truth, it was still frantic, hurried stuff, but few chances were being created by either side.

QPR had the best opening of the second period so far when Agyemang bustled through on the right to volley in a low effort which hit Murphy's right sidenetting.

And it was the former Preston frontman who was to dash the Iron's hopes with a 78th-minute strike. The marksman played a neat one-two with Buzsaky before thrashing the ball past Murphy from ten yards.

Scunthorpe made their first changes of the afternoon in the final ten minutes, with Ben May replacing McCann, and Kevan Hurst coming on for Hayes. They failed to have the desired effect though.

They had a decent opportunity before full-time - with Sparrow's shot, after a goalmouth scramble, getting blocked on the goal-line and cleared away to safety.

They pressured QPR late on, but there were no more chances, and United were left to rue what might have been once more.

And just as referee Mick Thorpe was about to blow for full-time, the home side made it three when Vine capitalised on a defensive mishap to find himself one-on-one with Murphy, and he clipped the ball home.

Eight matches remain, with the Iron visiting Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night. Scunthorpe.

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Ex-QPR defender, Gino Padula, is reportedly joining Columbus Crew.

Sports Network - Crew to sign left back Pedula [sic]
Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - The Columbus Crew are in the process of signing Argentine left back Gino Padula, according to head coach Sigi Schmid.
"We are bringing in a guy named Gino Pedula, we are trying to get that transfer done," he told sportsnetwork.com.
Padula is a 31-year-old defender who most recently played for Montpellier of the French Second Division. Pedula has played domestically in Argentina for River Plate as well as stints with Wigan, Queens Park Rangers and Nottingham Forest in England during his career.
"I was trying to find a left back, we feel that plugs a hole that we had a little bit back there," Schmid said. Sports Network

See Also:
Padula Playing Career

Padula/Wikipedia

Also: QPRNet Interview with Gino Padula about QPR



Former QPR player and manager, Ian Holloway turned 45 a couple of days ago. Happy Birthday!



Birthday for Ex-QPR Player and Manager Ian Holloway
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Happy 45th Birthday to Ian Holloway: At the time of his departure from QPR "Gardening Leave", Holloway was QPR's longest-serving manager since the late, great Alec Stock.

Ian Holloway. Born March 12, 1963 - Birthday

No more needs to be said. He did a lot for QPR. Regardless of many things, or his post-QPR career, thus far, all QPR fans should be grateful for what he did.

[For more on Ian Holloway and QPR, just go through this blog!]


Daily Record - Skipper Set For Way Out
GRETNA captain Paul Murray could be offered an escape route by Oldham.
The midfielder, left, is wanted by the English League One promotion play-off hopefuls.
Murray, 31, will be available for free if Gretna fail to pay off their debts. The entire first-team squad have been told their contracts will be ripped up if the Raydale Park outfit close.
And Murray could be one of the first to find a new club.
Boundary Park manager John Sheridan could use the unexpected availability of the former England B international to bolster his squad ahead of the run-in.
Murray signed a one-year deal with Gretna last June and has made 23 appearances for the club and scored once.
He has previously played for Southampton, had two spells at Carlisle and once landed a £300,000 move to QPR. Daily Record

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Confirming messageboard rumours, Performance Manager, Joe Dunbar, leaves QPR.

QPR Official Site - DUNBAR DEPARTS

Queens Park Rangers Football Club have parted company with Performance Manager Joe Dunbar.

Dunbar, who joined the Club as part of ex-Manager John Gregory's backroom staff in September 2006, was largely responsible for the Clubs medical department and played an integral role in the R's successful fight against relegation last season.

QPR Chairman Gianni Paladini told www.qpr.co.uk: "I'm sorry to see Joe go, but a new management team always brings new ideas and unfortunately he didn't necessarily fit in with them.

"He's been a great servant though and I wish him all the best for the future."

Speaking on his departure, Dunbar said: "I've really enjoyed my time here and I'm disappointed it has come to an end.

"I've worked for some big Clubs in the past, including Aston Villa and Charlton Athletic, but I've never known fans like the QPR fans.

"Their support has been first class and that will be my abiding memory of the last 18 months or so."

Dunbar added: "I'd particularly like to thank Gianni (Paladini) for his support, especially since the new management team have arrived.

"He's always been there for me and I'll be forever grateful to him for allowing me to work for this great Club."

The Club would like to place on the record its thanks to Joe for his contribution to QPR and wish him all the best for the future. QPR

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Another great Official Site profile: This time ex-QPR player and manager (and assistant coach and caretaker manager) FRANK SIBLEY

QPR Official Site - BLAST FROM THE PAST
Posted on: Thu 13 Mar 2008

In our latest instalment of exclusive past player interviews on www.qpr.co.uk, R's legend Frank Sibley comes under the spotlight.

Frank Sibley (1963-1971)

Frank Sibley is such a modest man that he was almost embarrassed to receive our request for an interview.

"I was hardly a QPR legend," he said.

But we beg to differ. The facts show that Sibley was the youngest ever R's First Team player. He went on to become an important member of our 1967 League Cup winning side and Frank later managed the R's on three separate occasions - although he never wanted the job!!

It was back on September 4th 1963 that Sibley made his debut for the Hoops in a League Cup tie at Aldershot. He was aged 15 years and 275 days.

"I seemed to cope with it quite well," said Sibley.

"It was just the people around me that thought it was something special for me to play at 15 years-old. But looking back, I suppose it was a little out of the ordinary. I was the second youngest lad ever to start a first team match anywhere in the whole country at that time.

"I just remember Manager Alec Stock saying beforehand 'You'll be in the side tomorrow. Do your best and get on with it.' It was a great experience for me, although it could have been at a better place than Aldershot! I played outside right in the game, but I was a central defender for most of my career."

Sibley graced the Rangers shirt a total of 168 times. His favourite season was in 1966/67 when we won the Third Division Championship and the League Cup.

He said: "That was a fantastic period for everyone involved and I think it really started QPR on the road to the top. The Final at Wembley was definitely the highlight of my playing career.

"We came from behind to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2. To be truthful, we knew it was going to be a hard game. I think the occasion got to us quite a bit early on. But Alec Stock didn't panic or anything.

"Alec said at half-time 'Look we're 2-0 down but we should have taken our chances in the first half. If we get in there and get a goal after the break then West Brom will fade. And that's exactly what happened.

"There was a great camaraderie at Rangers in those days. We weren't paid very much and a number of lads came up though the youth set up with me - Roger Morgan, Ian Morgan, Micky Leach and Ronnie Hunt.

"We all broke into the First Team around the same time and we formed a good blend with the more experienced players like Jim Langley, Rodney Marsh and Les Allen. There were really good blokes in that side - both on the pitch and off it."

Unfortunately, injuries brought Sibley's career to a premature end. He retired from playing in 1971 after several years of pain.

"My problems started shortly after we won the League Cup. I got called up for the England Under-23 squad that summer for a tour of Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece. I didn't play in any of the games but I did well in the training sessions and I was told that I would get my chance eventually.

"When I got back home, there was a telegram waiting which asked me to report for a pre-season tour with the QPR team in Spain. So I travelled over and played in a friendly. In the very last minute, this fellow went right over the top of the ball on me.

"I remember being in terrible agony but they didn't know what the injury was because the swelling was so enormous. It wasn't until I returned to England that I discovered I had torn cartilages and ligaments.

"I was out of action for quite a while but I worked hard to get myself fit and I got back in the R's side. Then every couple of months, I'd go into a block tackle and the problems would flare up again.

"This went on for several years. I was in and out of the team and I never really recovered. I struggled to regain my pace and heading ability, which were my main strengths as a defender.

"I went to see a specialist and he said 'If you don't pack in football now, you're going to be a cripple by the time you're 30'. So we made a decision that I was going to finish."

After hanging up his boots, Sibley continued to have a long association with Rangers. He was Manager in 1977/78, Caretaker Manager in 1984/85 and (briefly) in 1996, as well as serving in other coaching positions.

"The first time I was in charge came was when I took over from Dave Sexton in 1977. I had a year of it and we avoided relegation in the penultimate game of the season.

"That was a 0-0 draw against Leeds United at home. We needed a point against them and that sent West Ham down. Although I remember Tony Currie was playing for Leeds and he hit the underside of our crossbar in the last minute!

"I also had a temporary role in 1984 following Alan Mullery's departure. Then I filled in for a couple of weeks when Ray Wilkins left in 1996.

"But I never wanted to be the manager of QPR. I decided that during my first spell in charge. I was only 29 and I was the youngest boss in the League. I just thought at the time that everything that went wrong was all down to me.

"It affected my home life and it wasn't very good for my children. So I said I would never be a permanent manager again and that was the way it went. I subsequently had some nice years on the coaching staff at QPR and I worked with a lot of really good people."

Sibley still lives locally in Hillingdon. He's no longer involved in football, but continues to be a big Rangers supporter.

"My last role was as a scout for Watford a couple of years ago. But I'm not very well now to be honest. I've got Parkinson's disease and you never know when it is going to hit you.

"I continue to get about and I had a party in December for my 60th birthday. Jim Smith and Ray Wilkins both turned up so that was very pleasant.

"And I keep abreast of events at Loftus Road. The Club where you started out and where you had the most success always stays with you the rest of your life. All of my kids are QPR supporters too.

"I think the new investment is very exciting for Rangers. So I am going to have a little bet on the R's getting promoted next season!" QPR

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Kilburn Times - Ainsworth signs up

Ainsworth and De Canio on the touchline during Tuesday's win over Blackpool
CLUB captain Gareth Ainsworth will combine playing with a varied role assisting manager Luigi de Canio next season.

Ainsworth has already signed a new one-year playing deal and details of his redefined role at QPR are due to be confirmed in the next few days.

The 34-year-old, who is Rangers' longest serving player, has been a regular presence on the touchline recently and gives a team talk before each match.

He said: "QPR is the only place I want to be and I hope my experience and knowledge of the game can help the club . Kilburn Times

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It's QPR vs Blackpool tonight! Hogan Ephraim - despite his declarations of innocence and expectations of "absolution" appears to be suspended for the next three games after his sending off

Blackpool Gazette - Ian Evatt Perspective
IAN Evatt reckons team spirit will be worth more than millionaire owners when Pool take on QPR tonight.
Pool are paupers compared to a football club that became Britain's richest when Formula One big-timers Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone took over earlier in the season.
They have spent millions on reshaping the side and recruited Luigi De Canio from Italy's Seri A as manager – but Evatt, who left QPR to join Pool last year, reckons that wealth isn't everything.
"It is a bit bizarre to see what's happened there, especially for me because I used to play for them," said Evatt.
"Apparently they are the richest club in the world now ... so it was a great time for me to leave wasn't it!
"But although they might have no end of money, it's sometimes not all about the cash.
"If you look at us at Blackpool we've built a squad on relatively nothing for this division and yet we are still halfway and matching every team in the league.
"So it's not about money, it's all about team spirit and we have that in abundance.
"The lads have got no end of belief in their own ability and we have shown that on countless occasions this season already.
"We believe we can beat every team in this league and we have shown that we can more than match anyone in this division.
"QPR will be tough but there is no reason why we can't get a positive result, add another point or three to our tally and edge ourselves closer to safety."
Boss Simon Grayson is expected to make changes after the lacklustre draw against Southampton on Saturday.
Evatt won't be one of those to miss out – and after being confined to the bench for the reverse fixture with QPR in December because of injury, the defender is eager to show his old club what he can do.
"I wasn't treated the best by QPR," he said. "The club was in a bit of a mess at the time – although thankfully now it is turning around for them – and I am really looking forward to going back there, especially after missing the first game against them.
"What makes it better is that I know I'm going back as part of a very good team.
"We are flying at the moment, we are playing well and that's why we should be confident about getting a good result.
"I might get a bit of stick from their fans but it will be all welcome and hopefully we will go there, turn them over and get the three points."
One thing Evatt is looking forward to is playing in a wind-free environment.
Assuming London doesn't continue to get hit by the gales buffeting the south-west, Loftus Road will be a whole lot calmer than Blackpool was on Saturday.
"We didn't play great against Southampton at the weekend but the wind made it very difficult," the 26-year-old added.
"We like to play good stuff but on Saturday the ball was all over the place and you didn't know where it was going to go.
"Southampton are a very good side with expensive ex-Premiership players, so we have come a long way when we are disappointed at only drawing with them.
"We've got to keep picking up points and not get too disappointed when we don't win." Blackpool Gazette

Blackpool Gazette/By Steve Canavan - Manager Simon Grayson Perspective
MONEY can't buy success – that's Simon Grayson's message to anyone fearing tonight's clash with cash-rich QPR.
The Seasiders boss acknowledges that his team face a tough challenge at Loftus Road but he feels that just like at Norwich in the last away game, victory is possible.
"They are a good footballing team and they get the ball down and play – but so do we," said Grayson.
"OK, they've had plenty of money to spend recently but money doesn't buy you instant success.
"However, it will be tough. They had a disappointing result at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday but I watched them last week at Barnsley and saw them against Stoke on TV.
"They gave Stoke a real good game and they have some real talented players.
"They've got a lot of threats around the pitch – Buzsaky, Rowan Vine, Patrick Agyemang – and other quality players, like Fitz Hall, who has come out of the Premiership to join them.
"But although they have talented players, I always trust my players and I'll always back them.
"If we stand up and match them we've got a good chance of winning."
Even the fact that the Seasiders haven't won at Loftus Road for more than 36 years (a 1-0 success courtesy of a Keith Dyson goal in February 1972) doesn't scare Grayson.
"It hasn't been a happy hunting ground for us but there have been quite a few places like that
in the last year or so and we have proved a lot of statistics wrong," added the boss.
"So that's not a reason to be worried or fearful. Why can't we go to Loftus Road and turn a negative into a positive?
"It is a tough venue because it's a tight ground and QPR are aware that they need the points as much as we do.
"But I'm looking forward to another challenge and hopefully we will get a good result.
"We won our last game at Norwich and we go into every game trying to be positive and playing the right style of football.
"If we do that and get on the frontfoot – something we didn't do on Saturday against Southampton – we'll have a chance."
Grayson is set to make a couple of changes after admitting some of his players looked jaded at the weekend.
Paul Dickov could be rested, and Claus Jorgensen, subbed in the second half against Southampton, may be sweating on his place. Blackpool Gazette

QPR Official Site - MATCHDAY PREVIEW: TANGERINES
With fellow Championship newcomers Bristol City flying high at the summit of the division, Blackpool's solid season has largely gone unnoticed.
But credit where credit's due, Simon Grayson's squad have exceeded all expectations so far this season and heading into the final chapter of their first campaign back in the second tier for some 29 years, the Seasiders still hold realistic hopes of a top-ten finish.
The Tangerines currently occupy twelfth place in the table, lying nine points adrift of the play-off's and eight points clear of safety.
A surprise opening day victory against Leicester City rather set the tone for their season and in truth, the Seasiders have rarely looked back since then.
Wins against promotion contenders Burnley and Charlton Athletic since the turn of the year provided brief hope of a play-off push, but Grayson isn't about to get too carried away.
"We are still looking over our shoulders," he said recently.
"At the start of the season our target was to stay in this league and that remains the case.
"We're playing well, but all we can do is try to kick on from here."
The arrival of experienced hit-man Paul Dickov in the January transfer window only served to reiterate Blackpool's footing at this level.
The former Manchester City ace, who is out contract in the summer, bagged five goals in as many games last month and was named the Professional Footballer's Association Championship player of the month.
"He's proving to be a good loan signing," admitted Grayson following Dickov's goal-a-game record in February.
"His work-rate, his all-round contribution is superb and he's also getting on the scoresheet.
"He's known as a pest throughout football and he's living up to that reputation. The lads look up to him and we're delighted to have him here."
Whether Dickov's goals will be enough to fire Blackpool to a top-ten finish remains to be seen, but the long term future appears to be very bright for a Club once home to footballing greats Stanley Matthews and Jimmy Armfield, amongst others. QPR

This is Local London - Rangers looking towards safety By Simon Mail
QPR will be aiming to move towards safety in the Championship when they take on Blackpool at Loftus Road tonight.
The R's win over Stoke sparked hopes of a push for the play-offs but one point from away games at Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday has ended all talk of that. Instead Rangers are still only six points in front of third bottom Wednesday having played two more games.
Fitz Hall is set to return to the side in place of Damion Stewart after recovering from his groin injury.
But winger Hogan Ephraim begins a three-match ban after his sending off at Wednesday on Saturday. This is Local London


QPR Official Site - Gareth Ainsworth - GAZ SEEKS HOME COMFORT
Club Captain Gareth Ainsworth says the QPR squad 'owe it to their fans' to return to winning ways against Blackpool tomorrow night.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk following Saturday's disappointing 2-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, Ainsworth said: "The lads were totally gutted after the (Sheffield Wednesday) game, but this fixture, if we play like we know we can, is a great opportunity to get back to winning ways quickly.
"Our home form has been a really big part of our season, as it should be, but away from home - especially against the lower positioned teams - we have struggled.
"The amount of games we have led and lost is amazing. That mental toughness - not letting anything affect you on the pitch - is so important; self belief is a very powerful weapon to have."
Ainsworth added: "We knew March was always going to be a tough month with the amount of fixtures, but I know the boys relish every match, no matter how quick they come.
"It's not only tough on the players physically, but also on the fans - be it financially, socially or mentally - who follow us home and away, through thick and thin.
"I have been here long enough to know they make a big difference and I also know that they are all greatly appreciated by every single player." QPR

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[Most of the article is about Briatore and Motor Racing (and his personal life). Last couple of paragraphs about QPR and football.]

'Lewis is terrific but I would always choose Fernando'
The Renault principal says that McLaren should have shown loyalty to Alonso, as he intends to do this year

The Guardian - Donald McRae - Tuesday March 11, 2008

Flavio Briatore may just be the smartest man in a business crammed with seriously bright operators and so, on the brink of a new formula one season, it is always worth taking a step back to watch him at work. As the leader of Renault and the personal manager of a disconsolate Fernando Alonso, the deposed world champion, Briatore has brought a struggling team and his favourite driver back together again. And while Alonso re-adjusts to Renault, with whom he won two world championships before his brief and unhappy defection to McLaren, Briatore shrewdly focuses attention on the sport's current acrimony and subterfuge.

As he considers the animosity between Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, former team-mates at McLaren, the Italian grins slyly. "I think it was great for formula one. It was good news because without the fighting between Fernando and Hamilton it was very boring last year."

Formula one had been suffocated by tedium for years but last season tore up the humdrum pattern to such gripping effect that Briatore's throwaway line can be seen as an obvious prelude to some canny mischief-making. Three drivers were in with a chance of winning the world title with just a few laps left of the final grand prix - before Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen seized the championship from Hamilton and Alonso by a single point. That intense battle between warring drivers was matched by spying scandals involving McLaren, Ferrari and Renault.

The friction between Alonso and Hamilton, however, was particularly compelling. It now prompts Briatore to aim some sharp jibes at the British driver in an attempt to bolster Alonso. "Hamilton had a very good possibility to learn," Briatore says as he remembers how the brilliant young tyro finally lost his composure and claimed that Alonso only taught him how not to behave as a world champion. "When you are a rookie you need to take that opportunity. He had the chance to drive with somebody very special in Fernando."

Hamilton drove far better than Alonso on numerous occasions throughout the season and so it seems a curious charge. Does Briatore really believe the man who led the championship for almost the entire season squandered a chance to become a better driver? "Absolutely. Yes. Hamilton is very young and the talent is there but he lost this opportunity. As a rookie, in the first year, you should work for the team. Your team consists of 1,000 people working together to put two cars on the grid. You need to respect these people behind you - and not only your ego.

"This is something the driver needs to learn. It's not just about him. You hear drivers saying "my car". But it is not their car - it is the team car. A lot of people are watching you fight while they're working until five in the morning to deliver this car. I feel sorry for the employees of McLaren - it was terrible. It was important for McLaren to win the drivers' championship but they missed the opportunity. Because of this fight they finished with nothing."

Yet Alonso's own ego, while he was being outperformed by a rookie, was badly pricked. "When you want the world champion in your team, and you fight to take him away from Renault," Briatore argues, "you then need to protect him when he joins you. It was a new environment for him - and Fernando's only other experience has been with Renault. Sometimes we forget he is only 26."

Briatore shrugs when asked if McLaren blatantly favoured Hamilton. "Yeah. [Hamilton] was born in this team. He has been driving 10 years with McLaren so that is normal. But what is less normal is when you see Hamilton in pole position and everyone at McLaren is jumping like crazy. If pole was for Fernando then everyone was like this [Briatore feigns polite applause]. This is difficult for the driver because every time you give 100% effort for the team - and you can only presume that everybody has the same treatment. When you take the world champion, which Fernando was, and challenge him with a rookie it's not the best way.

"I never see Fernando have problems with any other driver. He's fun. Sure, maybe he was surprised by how quick Hamilton was - but don't forget that Hamilton arrived from GP2 and he had very good knowledge of the Bridgestone tyre. Fernando really don't have time with that tyre before he start testing with McLaren. Lewis was terrific but when Fernando changed his style of driving, in a completely different car, then he was very competitive. He was strong enough to fight."

Hamilton has since suffered racial abuse in Spain, Alonso's home country. "I don't think it was racist at all. It was four imbeciles in the middle of 30,000 people."

Briatore's love life and business ventures are completely free of any racist overtones - and it is surprising he should be so cavalier. Surely Hamilton was subjected to racism in pre-season testing? "Yeah," he concedes, "but these things happen in every place. You don't need to go to Spain to find people at this level. But the media immediately blame 29,995 other people. We are not even sure that these people are Spanish. Maybe they were from Mars. I believe what they did was wrong, 100%, but you don't need to criminalise 30,000 people."

He softens when admitting that, "Lewis is terrific for McLaren and for formula one but I would always choose Fernando. He is more experienced. But it's more important, and this is already happening, that Fernando has fun and enjoys his racing again."

Alonso's mood has not been helped by Renault's poor performance in testing, and he has already stated his dissatisfaction with the car. "Yes, it is too slow for him. But we are working hard and Fernando is not the type who pushes in the tests. He is more concerned in understanding the car and giving information to the engineer. Fernando tells you exactly the quality of your car. We are a little delayed but last year was difficult because in 2006, with Fernando, we were fighting for the title up to the last race with Ferrari. We won it but, in the process, we neglected the development of the new car. Now Fernando is talking about us having a 20-30% chance for the championship. I think it's about 20% - which means he is more optimistic than me. We can't recover everything in three months but we hope to be fighting and winning races by the middle of the season."

Last year Renault were also blighted by the spying saga. McLaren were fined £50m and lost all their points in the constructors' championship after one of their engineers obtained 780 pages of technical detail from Ferrari. But there was embarrassment at Renault when they were then found guilty of espionage against McLaren. Phil Mackereth, a former McLaren engineer, had shown technical data from his previous team to his new employers. "It was a completely different situation to McLaren and Ferrari," Briatore stresses when explaining how Renault avoided any penalty. "From the moment we saw this design we immediately called the federation and Ron Dennis [at McLaren]. If we'd had any useful information I'm sure we would have been more competitive last year."

The 57-year-old can escape such trials by lingering over his fiancee, Elisabetta Gregoraci, 28, the strutting Wonderbra woman, who represents his latest supermodel conquest after Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson, Eva Herzigova and Heidi Klum. In slightly less romantic fashion Briatore has also combined with two billionaires in Bernie Eccelestone and Lakshmi Mittal, the world's fifth-richest man, to buy Queens Park Rangers.

"I never expected this to happen. Each morning I only expect to wake up and shave. The rest I don't know because life is so fragile. Life, for me, is the moment. That's why I don't buy green bananas - who knows what will happen tomorrow? But now that I am with QPR it is amazing. We always have between 15,000 and 18,000 to see QPR - whether they play Colchester or Scunthope. Against Chelsea there were 41,000. That's why English football is fantastic. In Italy if Milan play Lecce you have 2,000 people."

Briatore smiles when asked how he and his billionaire chums and girlfriends have coped with the lack of glamour around the lower reaches of the Championship. "Our stadium is not the best so I'm not shocked. I go to Stoke and all over England and it is very civilised. Hospitality is very nice. We are the same with our fans - very clear and transparent. We aim to be in the Premier League in two more seasons but we will do it efficiently."

So there is little hope for gleeful QPR fans expecting a £40m injection in the summer? "No way. That number is completely wrong. Let's see at the end of the season but with this squad we have super players with a super attitude. You need a certain type of player to get out of the Championship and I think we have them. But, of course, Bernie, Lakshmi and me are as bad as each other when we lose. We want to win with QPR."

Briatore sounds typically determined but, for the moment, he is more consumed by this weekend's opening grand prix in Melbourne than the visit of Blackpool to Loftus Road. "The best two sports in the world are football and formula one and to be involved in both is very exciting. But you must understand one thing - my DNA is formula one. It is not football. Formula one comes first for me." Guardian

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Ex-QPR Winger Mike Ferguson Turns 65 yesterday!-

Background:
QPR's Les Allen signed him in 1969 from Aston Villa for something like 15,000 pounds to replace Rodney Marsh who was suspended for a month (the days of draconian suspensions for 3 bookings). Skillful foward/winger...Ferguson was with QPR for 4 seasons, even captaining the club for a while in the 1971/72 season, when Terry Venables was injured. Famous for being the last Accrington Stanley player playing in the League. (Ironically Accrington Stanley look like they will be returning to the League.) After QPR won promotion, joined Cambridge for a small fee.

Accrington Observer - 4th December 2002
Fergie remembers
LAST scorer: Mike Ferguson in action at Peel Park during the fateful 1961-62 season.
MIKE Ferguson scored Accrington Stanley’s last-ever Football League goal … and has spent more than half a lifetime listening to other people claim the distinction.
And Fergie, now 58, holds another record of sorts.
He was the first player to be transferred from the Football League to another club, joining neighbours Blackburn Rovers for around £2,500, a fraction of the fee he would have earned stricken Stanley had he gone before their demise.
Ironically, such a windfall might have gone some way towards saving the club. But cynics suggested that predatory rivals who had guessed at Stanley’s fate were hovering like vultures to swoop down on whatever meat remained on the carcass.
Ferguson’s goal, his first and only Stanley goal, earned the Reds their final point at Doncaster four days before their final game. It was one of only four points the ailing side picked up in their final 17 games after the last win, a 1-0 success at home to Crewe in mid-October 1961.
Mike, who now lives in Worsthorne, said: "I didn’t even realise it was the last goal until someone contacted me and told me a few years ago. I have met all kinds of people who said they scored it, people I know didn’t even play for the club!
"Football was so different then. I used to go to the ground from Burnley on the bus, with spectators getting on all the way down Burnley Road. If it was good enough for Tom Finney it was good enough for me. Diets? Unheard of in those days. I remember once pulling up at a transport café at 4am on the way to Gillingham and Harry Hubbick, the trainer, said: "Nobody have peas with your pies!"
Mike had a fine career as a winger-cum-midfield schemer with Blackburn, Aston Villa and QPR, living the London high-life with the likes of Rodney Marsh and Terry Venables at one stage. He also managed with great success abroad and as recently as 1996 was scouting foreign teams for his old pal Venables, then England manager.
Accrington Stanley

Spotlight on: The Career of Mike Ferguson
17/2/2002 - Rochdale Rivals
A keen desire to make the grade as a professional footballer saw the Burnley born inside forward travel in excess of 200 miles south after accepting an offer to join Plymouth Argyle. The first team proved just beyond him during his time at Home Park throughout which he remained an amateur. So the offer of professional terms combined with a move closer to home with Accrington Stanley was gleefully accepted.
Despite their lowly status Ferguson spent almost two seasons with Stanley. Blackburn Rovers scouts regularly attended games across Lancashire and on one of these visits saw Ferguson and marked him down as a transfer target. Financial problems primarily led to the demise of the club. Their subsequent loss of Football League status only hastened his arrival at Ewood Park in return for a £1500 fee. Although bought as a striker he was converted to a right sided midfielder usually operating on the wing. It was a move which benefited both parties as Blackburn had created an extra option going forward with a player who knew the strikers art and could anticipate the needs of the forwards as well as weighing in with his fair share of goals.
For his part Ferguson revelled in his creative role due to the responsibility and extra satisfaction he gained from the switch. However, that was tempered by a powerful will to win which unfortunately exposed a short fuse when the battle for points got heated enough. Although he missed just a handful of games during his six seasons with Rovers a fair share of these absences came through suspensions.
Although a crowd favourite like many other players he had a price which could buy his services and by offering £50,000 at the close of the 1967-68 season Aston Villa found it. Like Blackburn Villa were a major force during the fledging years of the Football League but neither enjoyed a comfortable level of standing. Rovers were relegated from the top flight in 1966 and weren't looking good bets for a quick return. The Midlanders were in the same division but usually finished well up the table while never pushing for promotion. They were eventually relegated to the Third Division but believed that the skills displayed by Ferguson could help them break back into the big time. However, by this time they suffered the drop Fergsuon had left the club. He spent just over a year with The Villains playing a more peripheral role than he had been used to with previous clubs before joining Queens Park Rangers in a cut price deal.
In complete contrast the London club got a keen deal and managed to give their signing a new lease of life. Their direct style being more suited to his style of play. Cambridge United provided a stop off before he arrived at Rochdale in time for the 1974-75 campaign. In two seasons at Spotland he became an established first choice in the centre of the park only breaking away to set up a pioneering transfer to Icelandic side IAK Arkanes. The move as player/coach only lasted a short time but a result of this move he became one of the first English players to sample life in Europe's northern most outposts. It was this experience and exposure to different techniques which set him in good stead when he took on other coaching posts. However, before concentrating on that side of the game he played a couple of matches for Halifax Town in the spring of 1977.
His backroom career literally had him journey from continent to continent although it started at lowly Enfield. Rochdale were the only Football League club he served as manager. He took the reigns at Spotland a few weeks into the 1977-78 season after a bad start to the campaign saw Brian Green's tenure ended. Form barely picked up throughout the campaign as Dale finished bottom of the league seven points shy of the second from bottom Southport and seventeen points clear of not having to battle out yet another re-election vote. In the event the Merseyside club rather than Dale were shown the door by their fellow league clubs. Just eight games were won all season and just one before Ferguson's arrival. No victories came on the club's travels except in the League Cup when a narrow win was recorded over Halifax Town. In the league two points were picked up away from Spotland from draws with York City and Doncaster Rovers.
He was given another chance to turn things around and retained his job. There was clearly a lot of pressure to produce but things got little better the following season with just one win and six draws picked up by the end of November. However, earlier in the month the manager had left Dale allowing him to embark on another oddessy around the world coaching teams as far a field as Cyprus and The Far East. Upon leaving the game during the 1980s despite all the places and climates he had experienced he chose to return to Burnley where he still lives. Rivals

Also -Accrington Stanley History
FERGUSON, Michael Kevin
Forward 5 ft 10 in, 11 st 2 lb
Born: Burnley 9 Mar 1943
Debut v Gillingham (h) 12 Sep 1960
Appearances: 50 Goals: 2
Career: Burnley schools; Plymouth Arg. amateur 16 Mar 1959; STANLEY 4 July 1960; Blackburn R. 15 Mar 1962 (fee £1,500); Aston Villa May 1968 (fee £50,000); QPR Nov 1969 (fee £15,000]; Cambridge U. July 1973; Rochdale July 1974 (free transfer); IA Akranes (Iceland) 1975-76; Halifax T. Dec 1976, retired 1977; Rochdale manager Sep 1977 to Nov 1978; coached around the world in 80´s especially Middle East; coached in Sweden; Apoel Nicosia manager; Enfield manager 1989; Tottenham H. scout 1989; Evagoras Paphos (Cyprus) manager Sep 1991; also England scout 1994-96.

Ferguson had had experience with Plymouth Arg. as an amateur but wanted home to Lancashire and wrote to Stanley, who promptly signed him without seing him play. He had represented the FA Youth team, played in the FA Youth Cup for Argyle and played for Devon Youth. When he made his League debut with Stanley he was 17 years 187 days, which made him the third youngest first-team player in club history. Obviously the most talented player in a poor side, he disappointingly managed just two goals. The impotent Stanley attack could have done with better shooting from the youngster. He turned down a move to Workington who had offered £3,000 in January 1962, moving to Blackburn R. when Stanley left the League. There he played his best football, becoming something of a cult figure. Being converted to right-winger he scored a goal at Villa Park that is still being talked about as goal of the Century, dribbling his way through from the half-way line. In 1968 he was sold to Aston Villa, where he played only 38 games. His careeer totals are 485 games, 44 goals, for seven different clubs. He led Akranes to the Icelandic championship but had little success as manager of Rochdale, being sacked after a particularly embarrassing FA Cup defeat at Droylsden. Prior to the 1996 European Championships he helped old team-mate Terry Venables with scouting for the England team. Mike Ferguson now lives in Worsthorne, Burnley. Accrington

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After QPR's loss on Saturday to Sheffield Wednesday (match reports and comments below), QPR have 45 points with 9 games remailing QPR have two home games: Blackpool (tomorrow) and Scunthorpe (on Saturday). Win at least one of them and QPR will be virtually secure for the season. Failure to win either....On Saturday, Blackpool drew 2-2 at home to Southampton.

De Canio Post-Match Comments
QPR Official Site - DE CANIO'S DESPAIRPosted on: Sat 08 Mar 2008
Luigi De Canio blamed some 'fundamental refereeing decisions' for the scenes which marred the end of the R's 2-1 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday.
Rangers midfielder Hogan Ephraim saw red in added time, before an ugly melee ensued at the full-time whistle.
"It is never nice to see a situation like the one that escalated at the end of the game, but the referee made some fundamental errors and we saw what happened as a result," De Canio told www.qpr.co.uk.
"The referee's parameter of judgement changed rapidly in the second half. He showed a lack of personality."
De Canio added: "He (Hogan) reacted in the wrong manner, but the referee could have easily cooled things off moments earlier. He allowed the situation to escalate."
Rangers opened the scoring early on at Hillsborough, but two goals in a six-minute purple patch either side of half-time saw Wednesday emerge victorious.
De Canio added: "It was a typical game of two halves.
"Our tempo was exceptional for 40 minutes and I'm amazed with what occurred in the second half.
"If we had finalised our opportunities in the first half we would not have lost the game.
"Conceding just before the break hurt us and gave them a big lift.
"We lacked continuity in the second half and the penalty kick early in the half galvanised them but finished us off." QPR

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Brian Laws
Laws: 'I Got It Wrong'

Laws: 'I Got It Wrong'
Posted on: Sun 09 Mar 2008

Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws looked to shield the two players he substituted before half time by admitting he made the wrong team selection to start the match against QPR on Saturday.

With the Owls 1-0 down, little seemed to be going right for his team until Wednesday replaced Enoch Showunmi and Ronnie Wallwork with Deon Burton and Sean McAllister 39 minutes into the Hillsborough encounter.

But Laws insisted the blame should not fall at the feet of the players he withdrew from the match as Wednesday went on to win 2-1 courtesy of a header from Graham Kavanagh and Burton's penalty.

"I am very disappointed with that first half hour because we are in the mire, we are in the bottom three and that performance wasn't going to get us out," Laws said after the game. "But, having said that, I'll take responsibility because I pick the team and today I hold my hands up and say I got it wrong.

"It's not just the two players (who were substituted) that were at fault but it was the whole performance, but I will take responsibility for that, not the players.

"The second half performance was much more like it, it gave us the energy in the middle of the park while Deon Burton gave us the quality in holding the ball up.

"We needed a spark and we didn't get one in the first half and I felt we needed to give the crowd a lift as well. Call it brave, call it stupid, call it what you like I will take responsibility, I got it wrong.

"I thought it sent a message to show we are not down and out and we are prepared to take the risk at that particular time because we weren't good enough.

"My coaches weren't really wanting me to do that (make the double-substitution) at that time but I thought it might just give us some impetus and rather than have the crowd booing us at half time I wanted to give them a lift."

Thankfully for Wednesday, the change did pay off, with new loan recruit Franck Songo'o dinking a delightful ball over the top for Kavanagh to head over the onrushing Lee Camp in the QPR goal just before half time.

Burton went on to convert a penalty after McAllister was brought down in the box seven minutes after the restart and the Owls could have scored again before a feisty finish to the match with substitute Hogan Ephraim seeing red for the visitors.

"We got a goal and got back in it," Laws said. "We got a goal in the second half and we were very unfortunate not to get more goals today. No matter what other results go on around us - and that is the other calmness we have to have (ignoring other results) - we must put in performances that will win us games.

"There were some good positives to take into the next match and it is a big week for us. There are three games and they are all winnable, if we put in that commitment and desire then we have a chance of winning the games. We could have lost this game and with the results around us it could have left us too far adrift and that would've killed everybody." Sheffield Wednesday

QPR Official Site - HOGAN FEELING HARD DONE BY
Hogan Ephraim is adamant he didn't deserve to see red in the R's 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
The R's winger was given his marching orders in added time, after referee Mr Neil Swarbrick adjudged him to have 'elbowed' Owls loanee Franck Songo'o.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Ephraim said: "I didn't feel it was a sending off.
"The referee said I elbowed him, but I don't know where he got that from.
"Our feet clashed and I think that is what he gave the free-kick for initially.
"The crowd were buzzing at the end and that probably played a part in the referee's decision."
Ephraim, who entered the fray as a second half substitute, added: "It's a really hard defeat to take after the way we dominated the first half.
"We should have been home and dry after half an hour, but we paid the price for missing our chances." QPR


Sunday Mirror - Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 QPR
Michael Morgan Brian Laws came up trumps with a brave double substitution as his struggling Owls racked up a desperately needed win.

Wednesday were heading nowhere when boss Laws dragged off Ronnie Wallwork and Enoch Showunmi just five minutes before the break.

But subs Sean McAllister and Deon Burton injected a new spring into their step and helped grab a crucial equaliser which acted as a springboard for the Owls to go on and win the game.

That looked unlikely, though, when Wednesday fell behind to Damien Delaney's 15th-minute opener for Rangers.

Delaney steered a low drive across keeper Lee Grant and into the far bottom corner of the net after good work from Martin Rowlands and Rowan Vine.

The Hoops should have increased their lead 10 minutes later, but hitman Patrick Agyemang was unlucky to see his shot on the turn rebound off the foot of a post.

Then Laws made his decisive switches and Wednesday equalised in first-half injury time.

Franck Songo'o brilliantly lifted the ball over the Rangers defence and Graham Kavanagh planted a header over keeper Lee Camp from 10 yards.

Then the Owls grabbed the winner on 52 minutes when Burton fired home from the penalty spot after Camp had brought down McAllister.

Rangers suffered further when Hogan Ephraim was sent off for flattening Songo'o.

HOW THEY RATED

Sheff Wed Grant 6, Hinds 6, Kavanagh 7, Tudgay 7, Beevers 7, Wood 7, Small 6, Showunmi 5 (Burton 7), Spurr 6, Wallwork 5 (McAllister 7), Songo'o 6.

Manager Laws 7

QPR

Camp 6, Delaney 7, Stewart 6, Mancienne 7, Blackstock 6, Buzsaky 7 (Balanta 6), Rowlands 6, Connolly 7, Agyemang 6, VINE 8 (Ephraim 6), Leigertwood 6 (Mahon 6).

Manager De Canio 6

Referee N Swarbrick 6

MAN OF THE MATCH ROWAN VINE
Best player on view until his surprise substitution

Sunday Mirror

QPR Official SIte - Sheffield Wed vs QPR
The Owls' hoodoo sign over QPR continued, as Brian Laws' men came from behind to clinch a crucial victory in their quest to pull away from the Championship drop-zone.
The 2-1 defeat, which leaves the R's just six clear of safety, means Rangers have now failed to beat Sheffield Wednesday, home or away, since our promotion party at Hillsborough four years ago.

Damien Delaney gave Luigi De Canio's men a dream start with his first goal in QPR colours in the 15th minute, only for Wednesday to hit back on the stroke of half-time courtesy of Graham Kavanagh.

And when Lee Camp was penalised for sending Sean McAllister to ground six minutes into the second half, substitute Deon Burton made no mistake from the spot to complete an unlikely turnaround.

Hogan Ephraim saw red late on for raising his arms in the direction of Franck Songo'o, as the R's day went from bad to worse.

De Canio made two changes from the midweek draw against Coventry City.

Damion Stewart and Dexter Blackstock returned to the starting XI, at the expense of Fitz Hall and Ephraim respectively.

Midfield general Gavin Mahon was named amongst the substitutes, after a spell on the sidelines with a medial ligament injury.

Wednesday boss Laws handed loan signing Franck Songo'o his first Owls start, but there was no place in the match-day squad for former R's loanee Ben Sahar (hamstring).

Owls front-man Enoch Showunmi drilled the ball high and wide in the opening exchanges, while at the other end, Rowan Vine thrashed Akos Buzsaky's clever free-kick high and wide.

Vine made amends on the quarter hour though, laying the ball on a plate for the on-rushing Delaney, who applied the simplest of finishes from the edge of the six-yard box to hand the R's a deserved lead.

Having silenced the Hillsborough crowd, Rangers went in search of a second, with Blackstock unlucky to see his fearsome strike drift inches wide of the post midway through the half.

Delaney was proving a constant threat to the Wednesday rearguard and when he broke through again two minutes later, only the foot of the post saved Laws' men from falling further behind as Agyemang turned Mark Beevers on a sixpence before firing the ball against the woodwork.

With jeers ringing in their ears, Wednesday were fortunate not to concede a second goal 10 minutes before the break.

Vine's jinking run concluded with him letting fly from the edge of the 18-yard box, but with Lee Grant seemingly beaten, the ball faded just over the crossbar.

Sensing his side were in danger of capitulating altogether, Laws made a double substitution in the 40th minute, with Burton and McAllister replacing the unlucky Showunmi and Ronnie Wallwork.

It proved to be a tactical masterstroke from Laws, who saw his side draw level in the first minute of added time, when Songo'o's chipped through ball found Kavanagh, who deftly headed the ball over the exposed Camp from 10-yards.

It was the first goal Rangers had conceded in 327 minutes of Championship action and the timing would've angered De Canio, who had seen his side totally orchestrate proceedings for the previous 45 minutes.

Undeterred, Rangers started the second period on the front foot. Vine's fine sole run resulted in him pulling the ball back from the by-line to Blackstock, who was only denied by a stunning parry from Grant at his near post.

But disaster struck seconds later when Camp was adjudged to have sent McAllister sprawling to ground inside the box and Burton stepped up to send the R's keeper the wrong way from the spot.

Wednesday were rampant by now and with Burton and Songo'o in full flow, the R's struggled to maintain their free-flowing hosts.

Kavanagh planted a free-kick just wide of Camp's left hand post, before De Canio made two changes in as many minutes, introducing Ephraim and Mahon to the fray.

Blackstock was denied again by Grant midway through the second half, when his glancing header from Delaney's cross was well gathered by the Owls custodian.

At the other end, Camp denied Kavanagh with a stunning full-stretch save, before Ephraim was given his marching orders for raising his arms at Songo'o.

Sheffield Wednesday: Grant, Hinds, Kavanagh, Tudgay, Beevers, Wood, Small (O'Brien 90), Showumni (Burton 40), Spurr, Wallwork (McAllister 40), Songo'o.

Subs: Boden, Burch.

Scorers: Kavanagh 45, Burton 52 (pen)

Bookings: Tudgay 82

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Stewart, Mancienne, Blackstock, Buzsaky (Balanta 75), Rowlands, Connolly, Agyemang, Vine (Ephraim 63), Leigertwood (Mahon 65).

Subs: Pickens, Rehman.

Scorers: Delaney 15

Bookings: Stewart 71, Delaney 83

Red Cards: Ephraim 92

Referee: Mr N Swarbrick

Attendance: 18, 555 QPR

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY OFFICIAL SITE
Sheffield Wed vs QPR
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club
2 - 1
Queen's Park Rangers Football Club
Date:
08/03/2008
Venue:
Hillsborough
Attendance:
18555
Referee:
N Swarbrick

Wednesday came from behind to earn what could prove a priceless three points against QPR on Saturday.

Quickfire goals either side of half time from Graham Kavanagh and substitute Deon Burton overturned Damian Delaney's early opener as the Owls turned the screw on their relegation rivals.

SWFC made three changes from the team that lost in dramatic style to West Brom in midweek. Suspended duo Adam Bolder and Jermaine Johnson gave way to Ronnie Wallwork and Franck Songo'o - who stored an immediate start after joining on loan from Portsmouth on Friday - while Burton O'Brien dropped to the bench to accommodate returning winger Wade Small.

The game was three minutes old before the first shot went in but Enoch Showunmi's long ranger failed to cause Rangers keeper Lee Camp any problems. Kavanagh then sent in a daisycutter from distance and again Camp was untroubled.

Debutant Songo'o almost created havoc with his first cross, stroking over a defence-splitting ball that this time called Camp into action and his fingertip touch proved crucial in denying onrushing Owls duo Small and Marcus Tudgay.

But Wednesday's early pressure counted for little as Rangers stole into the lead on the 15-minute mark. Skipper Martin Rowlands fed Rowan Vine down the left flank and the pacy midfielder slipped in a neat ball for defender Delaney to net his first goal of the season.

Clearly buoyed, Rangers continued to press and almost doubled their lead ten minutes later. Patrick Agyemang turned Mark Beevers a yard inside the penalty area and his bobbling shot bounced back from the post and straight into the grateful arms of Lee Grant.

Showunmi burst through on goal 32 minutes after good work from Tudgay but two R's defenders quickly thwarted the danger. QPR went on the counter a minute later following a Wednesday corner and Dexter Blackstock thumped over Grant's crossbar.

The Owls made a double substitution six minutes before the break to spark what was a lacklustre first half performance. Showunmi and Ronnie Wallwork came off, replaced by Burton and Sean McAllister respectively.

The changes had the desired effect too as Wednesday upped the ante, particularly in the final third, where Tommy Spurr had an angled piledriver charged down before,
right on half time, SWFC drew level. New boy Songo'o chipped a delightful ball into the path of Kavanagh, who broke free of the Rangers rearguard to plant a firm header over Camp and into the net.

Wednesday came flying out of the traps after the resumption but the first real chance fell to the visitors. Dangerman Vine broke clear down the left flank and teed up Agyemang, who lashed in a fierce snapshot from close range that Grant did well to parry to safety.

On 51 minutes, though, the hosts stormed into the lead. Tudgay's header was spilled by Camp, McAllister nipped in to profit and the keeper caught the substitute as he nicked the ball away. Referee Swarbrick pointed to the spot and Burton stepped up to casually send Camp the wrong way from 12 yards.

The pendulum was swinging Wednesday's way and Kavanagh went close with a curling free kick from 20 yards. Tudgay went closer still moments later, spotting Camp off his line before launching a dipping effort that landed just the wrong side of the keeper's upright.

Rangers responded with a glancing header from Blackstock that forced Grant into a diving save while at the other end, Camp produced the save of the game to keep out Kavanagh's long range curler.

QPR were camped in their own half in the closing stages and Songo'o almost made it three on 84 minutes but the Frenchman's rasping free kick deflected off the defensive wall for a corner. Spurr headed narrowly wide from the resulting flag kick and Small fired a vicious shot wide before late drama involving Wednesday unfolded for the second Saturday running.

Rangers substitute Hogan Ephraim - leading with the elbow - charged in on Songo'o and immediately saw red, sparking a melee that ended with the referee calling time on the contest and the Londoners down to ten men.

Owls (4-4-2): Grant; Hinds, Beevers, Wood, Spurr; Songo'o, Wallwork (McAllister 39), Kavanagh, Small (O'Brein 90); Showunmi (Burton 39), Tudgay

Unused substitutes: Burch, Boden

QPR (4-4-2): Camp; Delaney, Stewart, Mancienne, Connolly; Buzsaky (Balanta 75), Leigertwood (Mahon 66), Rowlands, Vine (Ephraim 63); Agyemang, Blackstock

Unused substitutes: Pickens, Rehman

Referee: Neil Swarbrick

Attendance: 18,555

Kavanagh and Burton see off R's

Match Information



* Match Stats
* Line-ups


Sheff Wed QPR
Goals : 2 1
Possession : 52% 48%
Shots On Target : 6 2
Shots Off Target : 6 8
Corners : 6 1
Fouls : 9 10
Most Fouls : Kavanagh (3) Mancienne (3)
Yellow Cards : 1 2
Sheffield Wednesday

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Teams

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Stewart, Mancienne, Blackstock, Buzsaky, Rowlands, Connolly, Agyemang, Vine, Leigertwood.
Subs: Mahon, Pickens, Ephraim, Rehman, Balanta.

Sheffield Wednesday: Grant, Hinds, Kavanagh, Tudgay, Beevers, Wood, Small, Showumni, Spurr, Wallwork, Songo'o.
Subs: O'Brien, Burton, McAllister, Boden, Burch.


QPR Official Site

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QPR take on Sheffield Wednesday today. QPR, with 45 points fromm 36 games, are 9 points clear of Sheffield Wednesday who have 2 games in hand. Just in time, Sheffield Wednesday have on a one month loan from Portsmouth, their French winger Franck Songo'o. It remains to be seen what impact the death this week, of genuine Sheffield Wednesday hero, Derek Dooley will have: Possibly inspiring them.

One Year ago (March 10), QPR were set to play Sheffield Wednesday at Loftus Road, with Inigo Idiakez making his QPR debut. QPR draw 1-1 (Rowlands pen) and after that game, QPR had 36 points from 36 games (9 fewer than QPR have now)
The teams for that game:
QPR: Camp, Bignot, Cullip, Bolder, Rowlands, Cook, Stewart, Idiakez (Ainsworth 67), Furlong, Blackstock (Nygaard 60), Mancienne.
Subs: Royce, Kanyuka, Smith. Goals: Rowlands

Sheffield Wednesday: Turner, Bullen, Whelan, Tudgay, MacLean (Graham 80), Burton, Brunt, Wood, Watson (Lunt 27), Simek, Spurr.
Subs: Adamson, Gilbert, Lekaj.

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Kilburn Times/Ben Kosky - Mancienne: Sahar's still a threat
MICHAEL Mancienne has warned that QPR flop Ben Sahar could yet prove his worth when Rangers face Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.
Sahar failed to find the net in nine appearances for the Rs earlier this season and cut short his five-month loan from Chelsea, who have now farmed him out to Hillsborough.
But Mancienne - who has played with the teenage striker both for QPR and the Blues' reserve side - said: "Ben's a great lad and I know he's a really good player.
"Things just didn't go his way when he was here. I don't think he settled in properly and, if you don't settle in, you won't be totally happy.
"But you shouldn't underestimate Ben because he can be unpredictable and do something you don't expect. I'm sure it'll be a good game on Saturday."
Sahar has been propelled back into the battle to avoid relegation from the Championship, with Wednesday desperate for victory to haul themselves away from the drop zone.
But Rangers are sailing in clearer waters these days and, after the 3-0 demolition of title challengers Stoke last Sunday, Mancienne feels they are now displaying a more ruthless streak.
He acknowledged: "We're up for every game - people like Gaz and Rowly always get the team going - but I think we got a bit complacent in that game against Burnley, when we were 2-0 up.
"But we've learned from that. Against Stoke, we went 2-0 up and didn't look back, we kept on going and didn't get sloppy, which we knew had happened in the past.
"Everyone was saying to each other 'we can't let this slip now, let's not get comfortable or sit back and let them attack us'. To keep a clean sheet is bread and butter for any defender, so the back four were very happy."
In addition to Sahar, Wednesday have also included another QPR player from this season in recent weeks - Adam Bolder, who was club captain until recently.
Bolder's loan at Hillsborough ends tomorrow and, as the Times went to press, it was not yet clear whether the Owls would try to extend the deal until the end of the season.
Rangers boss Luigi de Canio said: "Bolder will finish his month at Sheffield Wednesday and then if he comes back he'll be more than useful to the squad here."
De Canio also told the Times that he will be keeping an open mind on the future of another of his on-loan midfielders, Simon Walton. The former Leeds and Charlton man broke his leg in pre-season and, once he recovered, was barely afforded a look-in before being shipped on loan to Hull City at the end of January.
"Simon's a young player and we gave him to Hull so that he could get a bit of match fitness and match experience after his very serious injury," De Canio observed. "We will keep an eye on his progress there and eventually decide what happens. - Kilburn Times

QPR OFFICIAL SITE BOLDER'S OWLS DEAL EXTENDED
Adam Bolder's loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday has been extended by a further month, until Saturday 5th April 2008
Bolder has made five appearances for the Owls to date, but will not play against the R's tomorrow (Saturday) under the terms of his current loan deal.QPR

Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Hall in it together
FITZ Hall feels it is not only the back four who deserve acclaim after QPR ground out their third successive clean sheet at Coventry.
Rangers remained 15th in the Championship after Wednesday's turgid 0-0 draw at the Ricoh Arena, but their new-look back four have now not conceded in three games.
And Hall, who joined the Rs from Wigan at the start of January, said: "Everyone says it's the defence that keeps a clean sheet - but it's not just the defence who keep a clean sheet and the strikers who score.
"When we do well the whole team should get praised. At the start of the game, we'd come off a good result at the weekend and we were looking to win.
"But we didn't play the best football, so if we came away with a 0-0, we've got to be happy with that. We'll just look at the next game, then the next and see where we are at the end of the season."
There were few other positives for Rangers on a night where they failed to force a single save from Sky Blues goalkeeper Andy Marshall.
Patrick Agyemang cut an isolated figure in attack as his team-mates dropped ever deeper and absorbed bursts of pressure from a Coventry side hovering just above the drop zone.
After Scott Dann's early volley had been disallowed for offside, Michael Mifsud blazed into the side netting and Leon Best mis-hit a chance over the bar.
Best was foiled by Lee Camp just after the half-hour when he latched on to a long ball, appearing to clatter Matthew Connolly in the process, and raced through, but the Rs goalkeeper spread himself to block.
Camp also beat away Jay Tabb's volley just before half-time and it took Rangers until the 51st minute to muster a shot at goal, Akos Buzsaky's volley grazing the roof of the net.
The visitors briefly threatened to steal all three points late on as Hogan Ephraim played a one-two with Agyemang and wriggled into the penalty area, but was halted by a trio of defenders before he could shoot.
And substitute Dexter Blackstock might also have snatched it with two minutes remaining when he peeled away to chest down Buzsaky's pass, but could not get a clear shot at goal. Kilburn Times


BBC - Hall not worried about play-offs
Queens Park Rangers defender Fitz Hall says the team have not pinned their hopes on making the play-offs.
Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Coventry left Rangers 10 points behind the top six.
Hall told BBC London 94.9: "It's not beyond us but I don't think we are looking for that [the play-offs]. It's probably going to change every game.
"We had a good result on Sunday and everyone was talking about the play-offs, now we're talking about just keeping a steady ship."
He added: "We'll just go into every game and try to win and see where we end up at the end of the season." BBC


Daily Mail/Charles Sale - Not the right road to go down
Grand prix ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, the billionaire owner of QPR, would not have impressed the club's fans on Wednesday when he chose to watch Chelsea in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge rather than journey to Coventry to support his Championship team. Mail


South Yorkshire Times - PREVIEW
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY V QUEENS PARK RANGERS
While the situation regarding new owners is still up in the air, one thing is certain for The Owls and that is every point is vital if they are to stay in the Championship.
If the recent talk of a multi-million pound takeover comes to fruition, Wednesday may be joining Rangers in the rich club and splurges like the one Luigi de Canio enjoyed in January could be happening at Hillsborough.
A plethora of quality Championship stalwarts arrived at Loftus Road in January attracted by the prospects of new success as well as the money of Britain's richest man and a pair of F1 magnates.
On the field however, Rangers are a highly inconsistent side with their 3-0 win over high-flying Stoke and a 4-2 home defeat to Burnley perfect examples of their recent turbulence.
The West London side are unlikely to go down but that threat still exists and the comfortable finish to the season that many expected after the influx of wealth probably will not happen.
Winning on Saturday is highly important for The Owls as they head into two away games against teams around them in the table but with the rollercoaster ride of both sides' seasons, the result is anyone's guess.
PLAYER TO WATCH: AKOS BUZSAKY
The skilful Hungarian playmaker has the ability to change a game with a flash of brilliance and is already proving his worth since joining the club in January from Plymouth.
His outstanding individual ability caught the eye of Jose Mourinho who paid £400,000 to take him to Porto but he failed to make the grade in Portugal and eventually landed on the south coast.
After a superb season at Plymouth, the 27-year-old moved on loan to QPR scoring six goals in 11 appearances before signing on permanently in January.
South Yorkshire Times


Yorkshire Star - Laws: We can't dwell on defeat

BRIAN Laws today ordered his players not to sulk and had them in for training in a bid to put last night's calamity against West Brom out of their minds.
The Owls manager began preparations for Saturday's home clash with QPR straight away instead of giving the team the day off that they would normally have after a midweek match.

But it was not a punishment and the players will get a break tomorrow instead - with Laws just wanting to stop them from dwelling on last night.

Wednesday were on course for a point but had Jermaine Johnson sent off and were hit by a Kevin Phillips winner after five minutes of injury time.

Johnson was dismissed for lashing out at Jonathan Greening, who was booked for retaliation. He could be banned for four games after being sent off earlier this season.

What do you think? Post your comments below.

Laws said: "We could sulk for days and use the referee as an excuse - or we have to move on. We have moved on.

"I don't want us to dwell on this game. I want us to concentrate on the next one and make sure we get ourselves ready for QPR."

Neither Laws nor opposite number Tony Mowbray felt that the sending-off was justified, at first glance, but the Owls boss was planning to watch film of the incident before passing a final judgement.

He felt that the result was harsh: "We deserved more. Nobody can question the drive, the commitment." The Star

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Updated: Noon!

Barnet Official Site - LUTON TOWN KNOCK BACK APPROACH FOR STRIKER FURLONG
Luton Town have said 'No' to 39-year-old striker Paul Furlong joining Barnet ... and the search goes on for a newcomer to boost the Bees' goals - for tally.
The Division 1 club turned down the approach from Barnet FC for man-of-many clubs Furlong, who started his career at Enfield and has played at the top level and been a consistent scorer with Coventry City, Watford, Chelsea, Birmingham City, QPR, Sheffield United and current club Luton.
Chairman Tony Kleanthous contacted the Hatters last week as Barnet upped their search for a 20-goal a season type player. He was told that Town would give their answer this week about the former Premiership striker, who was in their first team at the weekend.
When he phoned back yesterday, he was told that Luton, who are in administration pending a consortium takeover, won't let the player go.
It was felt that Furlong, 171 goals in 418 games, would have been an ideal candidate to join and improve Barnet's young squad.
Tuesday night's Signy Says programme column ended speculation about another golden oldie - "It's not Teddy Sheringham", I reported.
The search continues in other directions.
Dennis Signy - Barnet

Express and Star - Moore seeking a career revival
Stefan Moore continues the relaunch of his career with a home debut for Walsall on Saturday ad mitting: “I’ve under-achieved so far.”
The 24-year-old one-time Villa prodigy will make his Saddlers bow against Northampton desperate to make up for lost time.
The Birmingham-born striker was tipped for big things when he made his Villa debut as an 18-year-old but now finds his career at the cross roads.
“There is no doubt I’ve under-achieved so far and I need to start doing more,” says Moore.
“It’s been difficult for me because I don’t think I’ve ever really had a run of games to establish myself either at Villa or QPR.
“I don’t think people realise how many of those games I have played out wide which is different to the role I was brought up on as an out and out forward.
“That’s where I’ve come here to play. That’s why this is such an exciting chance for me. The team is going great guns at the moment and I just want to play my part.”
Moore could not have hoped for a better start after his match winner at Luton last week which came after he had agreed a deal with the Saddlers to stay until the end of the season.
His future will be reviewed then but boss Richard Money is hoping he has scored another coup in the loan market.
Money said: “He is at a crossroads in his career and we will give him a chance.” Express and Star

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QPR after their 0-0 draw, moved up to 45 points from 36 games: 9 points away from a relegation spot; 10 points away from a playoff spot. So in all likelihood, QPR will be playing in the Championship again, next season Table

UPDATE 11:45 am

The Times/Nick Szczepanik - Coventry cannot break Lee Camp resistance
Coventry 0 QPR 0
Lee Camp was man of the match for Queens Park Rangers
Chris Coleman, the Coventry City manager, said this week that he did not care how his team won, as long as they took three points. But although he was frustrated by missing a chance to move six points clear of the bottom three of the Coca-Cola Championship at the Ricoh Arena last night, Coleman was pleased with his team’s domination of an improving Queens Park Rangers side, who would have moved into the top half of the table if they had won.
“We are in the relegation dogfight and the only way we’re going to be OK is if we approach games as we did tonight,” Coleman said. “Our performance in the first 45 minutes belonged at the other end of the league. That’s what we’ve got to produce week in, week out. It’s another cup final at home [to Norwich City] on Saturday.”
Coleman was critical of his team’s final pass, but when it was delivered correctly City found Lee Camp, the QPR goalkeeper, in inspired form. Camp thwarted Michael Mifsud, Leon Best and Jay Tabb as Coventry swarmed around his goal in the first half and QPR’s rearguard was overworked again after the interval. It was hard to believe that the West London side had beaten Stoke City 3-0 on Sunday.
It would have been even worse for Coventry had not Dexter Blackstock, a substitute, missed the chance that would have broken home hearts three minutes from time. “I’m disappointed, but it’s down to Coventry that we couldn’t play as we wanted,” Luigi De Canio, the QPR manager, said.
Coventry City (4-4-1-1): A Marshall — I Osbourne, E Ward, S Dann, D Fox — M Mifsud, M Doyle, S Hughes, J Tabb (sub: J Gray, 75min) — K Thornton — L Best. Substitutes not used: D Konstantopoulos, M Hall, W Andrews, R Simpson. Booked: Best.
Queens Park Rangers (4-2-3-1): L Camp — M Mancienne, F Hall, M Connolly, D Delaney — M Rowlands (sub: G Ainsworth,90), M Leigertwood — R Vine, A Buzsaky, H Ephraim — P Agyemang (sub: D Blackstock, 86). Substitutes not used: M Pickens, C Barker, D Stewart. Booked: Connolly, Buzsaky. The Times

QPR Official Site - De Canio Comments - A CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
Luigi De Canio praised the contribution of Lee Camp and his fellow defenders, as the R's ground out a gritty point against Coventry City.
Camp was in fine form, twice making top-class saves in the first period, as Rangers were forced to defend in numbers for the majority of the match at The Ricoh Arena.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, De Canio said: "I'm happy with point, because Coventry made it very difficult for us.
"They were very strong in the middle areas and made it hard for us to play how we wanted.
"They were strong and aggressive, but we matched them and the players worked tirelessly.
"I was pleased with the effort and performance of the back four and Lee Camp.
"They are playing very well at the moment as a unit, which is why I continue to pick those individuals.
"Camp had a very good game. He has often been a spectator in recent matches, so it was about time he earned his wage!"
De Canio reserved special praise for the 1,100-plus Rangers fans who made the trip up to the Midlands from London, commenting: "They were fantastic, as they have been since I arrived here.
"They make me proud to be the Manager of this Football Club." QPR

MIRROR/James Nursey - QPR get Flav-our for the fast lane
Rangers keeper Lee Camp last night urged the club's new co-owner Flavio Briatore to reward the team with an outing to the Monaco Grand Prix if they stay up.
Italian billionaire Briatore has already splashed out on new £3,000 gold-plated Techno watches for the club's squad to thank them for their efforts pulling away from the drop zone.
Luigi De Canio's side inched nearer safety in front of Briatore after Camp's heroics helped earn this point to keep them 15th in the Championship.
And Camp, 23, is now hoping Briatore, the Renault Formula One team principal, who bought Rangers with F1 overlord Bernie Ecclestone last August, will let them sample life in the fast lane once survival is assured.
"Who knows what Flavio will do if we stay up," smiled Camp. "He is a colourful character and if we could get to watch the F1 at Monaco or in America it would be a treat.
"The target is to be safe and build from there. It was nice to keep a clean sheet and I am happy I got in the way of a few shots.
"It was a good way to follow Sunday's win over Stoke.
"Defensively we have tightened up a little bit which is always a good building block."
Qpr were poor in the first half and were fortunate not to trail when Elliott Ward blasted over in the ninth minute from Leon Best's low right-footed cross.
Rangers didn't threaten until just after the break when Akos Buzsaky hammered in a dipping shot from distance which flew just over the bar. Mirror

QPR OFFICIAL SITE -
Lee Camp was in inspirational form, as Rangers extended their mini unbeaten run to four Championship matches with a creditable point against Coventry City.

The R's number one was unbeatable at The Ricoh Arena, as the visitor's battled their way to a valuable draw.

In a one-sided first half, Camp saved twice from Leon Best and once from Jay Tabb, as Chris Coleman's side orchestrated proceedings.

Rangers, to their credit, improved after the break, and went closest to breaking the deadlock, when Akos Buzsaky fired onto the roof of the net.

Buoyed by Sunday's comfortable 3-0 victory against Championship front-runners Stoke City, Luigi De Canio named an unchanged side for the trip to The Ricoh Arena.

There was a solitary change on the bench however, where Chris Barker came in for Manchester United loanee Kieran Lee.

City boss Coleman recalled Michael Doyle and Stephen Hughes from suspension and concussion respectively, in his fourth match in charge of the Sky Blues.

After a tepid start, Coventry wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead in the eighth minute, when Elliott Ward fired over from eight yards following impressive wing play from Leon Best.

City were first to every loose ball and when Michael Mifsud broke clear a minute later, he squandered yet another decent chance, firing into the side netting from an acute angle.

Sensing the hosts were on top, De Canio instructed his players to switch to a 4-5-1 formation, with Rowan Vine dropping into a wide midfield berth.

It made little difference though, as Best fizzed a volley into the turf, which fortunately for Camp, sailed on to the top of his net instead of in it.

Rangers improved as the half wore on, but all too often the killer pass evaded them and it was City who continued to create chances.

Having blatantly tripped Matthew Connolly in the build up, Best raced through unchallenged in the 33rd minute, only to be denied by a first class save from Camp, who darted from his line to save at the attacker's feet.

Doyle was the next to sting the palms of the R's custodian, after he let fly from the edge of the 18-yard box, before the Rangers number one was forced into action yet again on the stroke of half-time, this time saving with his feet to deny Jay Tabb.

The second period started in a similar vein, with Coventry enjoying the lion's share of possession.

Undeterred, it was Rangers who fashioned the first effort of the half in the 50th minute, when Buzsaky fired an audacious 25-yard half-volley inches over the bar.

Damien Delaney, who was given a difficult evening by livewire Mifsud, tried his luck from distance three minutes later, but this time the ball faded a yard wide of Andy Marshall's right hand post.

Coventry had seemingly run out of ideas; while at the other end, Marshall was forced into his first save of the entire match in the 73rd minute, when he dived low to his left to deny Buzsaky.

Coventry City: Marshall, Fox, Ward, Hughes, Doyle, Osbourne, Mifsud, Tabb (Gray 76), Best, Dann, Thornton.

Subs: Konstantopoulos, Hall, Andrews, Simpson.

Scorers:

Bookings: Best 62

Red Cards:

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mancienne, Buzsaky, Rowlands (Ainsworth 91), Connolly, Agyemang (Blackstock 86), Ephraim, Vine, Hall, Leigertwood.

Subs: Barker, Stewart, Pickens.

Scorers:

Bookings: Connolly 54, Buzsaky 69 Match Report

Coventry Evening Telegraph/Andy Turner - Coventry City shut out by QPR Mar 6 2008

COVENTRY manager Chris Coleman demanded more of the same from his side - despite a frustrating night at the Ricoh Arena.

The Sky Blues were held to a goalless draw by Queens Park Rangers but their first-half performance against the Londoners was arguably their strongest since Coleman took over.

On a night when former striker Gary McSheffrey watched from the stands, the only thing missing was goals.

"It was both an improvement and a frustrating night at the same time, said Coleman.

"If we produce more performances like that between now and the end of the season then we will get the points we need but more performances like Scunthorpe will mean it is a very long and worrying end to the season.

"We were playing against a side that had won against one of the top teams in the division while we haven't won many games recently but we created a number of chances.

"We need to see what kind of reaction when we take on Norwich at the weekend - it is another cup final for us and we must take something from it."

And the City manager said that he would continue to hold two training sessions a day if he felt it would benefit the players.

"It's not a punishment, I promise," he said. "But we haven't got much time to change things.

"So we are trying to get as much across as possible in a short space of time.

"We had a little chat after the Scunthorpe game and then results on Tuesday night meant we were fourth from bottom.


"Up until then, we had just been flirting with it but that brought it home. It's a relegation battle and I knew that from the day I came in.

"We just have to approach every game - home and away - as we did last night."

Coleman also revealed that midfielder Jay Tabb is 50/50 for the weekend fixture against Norwich after picking up a calf injury last night.

"I've been impressed with him," said the Coventry manager.

"He's exactly the sort of player you want when you are in the position we are in."

Coleman added: "If we produce more performances like that between now and the end of the season then we will get the points we need but more performances like Scunthorpe will mean it is a very long and worrying end to the season.

"We were playing against a side that had won against one of the top teams in the division while we haven't won many games recently but we created a number of chances.

"We need to see what kind of reaction when we take on Norwich at the weekend - it is another cup final for us and we must take something from it."

And the City manager said that he would continue to hold two training sessions a day if he felt it would benefit the players. Coventry Evening Telegraph

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According to the latest Forbes list of World's billionaires, Lakshmi Mittal moves up to #4 Richest in the World - and remains the richest in the United Kingdom. Bernard Ecclestone & family are #288 richest in the world (and the #14th richest residing in the United Kingdom.)

Forbes - World's Richest

THE BILLIONAIRES - Top Few
Warren Buffett
Carlos Slim Helu
William Gates III
Lakshmi Mittal
Mukesh Ambani
Anil Ambani
Ingvar Kamprad
KP Singh
Oleg Deripaska
Karl Albrecht
Li Ka-shing
Sheldon Adelson
Bernard Arnault
Lawrence Ellison
Roman Abramovich
Theo Albrecht
Liliane Bettencourt
Alexei Mordashov
Prince Alwaleed
Mikhail Fridman
Forbes

#4 - Lakshmi Mittal
"Heads world's largest steelmaker, $105 billion (sales) ArcelorMittal, which accounts for 10% of all crude steel production. Just delivered 580 tons to be used in construction of the World Trade Center memorial in New York. With 44% stake, is the company's largest shareholder. Longtime resident of London is Europe's richest resident." Profile

#288 - Bernard Ecclestone & family
"...The man who turned Formula One racing into one of the world's most popular sports. Also a clever dealmaker: In 2005 he sold his remaining 25% stake in Formula One to CVC Capital Partners, a leading European private equity firm, then turned around and reinvested with CVC in a new joint company called Alpha Prema. The new corporation now controls 100% of Formula One Group, and Bernie still gets to direct the empire. With pal Flavio Briatore, acquired Queens Park Rangers soccer club in September. " Ecclestone/Forbes

Complete Forbes List

Richest People Residing in the United Kingdom - List

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QPR - TEAM NEWS

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mancienne, Buzsaky, Rowlands, Connolly, Agyemang, Ephraim, Vine, Hall, Leigertwood.
Subs: Barker, Stewart, Blackstock, Ainsworth, Pickens.

Coventry City: Marshall, Fox, Ward, Hughes, Doyle, Osbourne, Mifsud, Tabb, Best, Dann, Thornton.
Subs: Konstantopoulos, Hall, Andrews, Simpson, Gray. QPR

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Sporting Life - DE CANIO PROMISED TRANSFER FUNDS
Amit Bhatia, vice-chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, insists there is money available for boss Luigi De Canio to work with.
Bhatia, son-in-law of Lakshmi Mittal, who's family owns a 20 per cent stake in the club claims becoming involved with Rangers was a "super opportunity" and has "the best platform to go forward."
"It was an idea that had been in the back of our minds and when this happened we kind of looked at Rangers as a super opportunity to be involved in a club that we believe has the best platform to go forward," he told the club's official website.
"It's got magnificent fans, a super stadium, everything just seems to be right with QPR and we were very excited when Flavio (Briatore) and Bernie (Ecclestone) got involved and asked us to get involved
"We bought 12 new players in the January transfer window and with Bernie and Flavio as partners I feel very secure in saying that we will spend money but we will spend it wisely.
"We need to buy the best players and we will go out and buy them when the time is right. So it will it cost money and we are willing to do it." Sporting Life

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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Bosnich is scout and about
FORMER Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich is no longer training with QPR - but will scout for the club on a 'freelance' basis.
Bosnich, 36, who also played for Aston Villa and Chelsea, was invited to join Rangers for training by his former Villa boss John Gregory at the start of the season.
The ex-Australian international, who left Chelsea five years ago, had been aiming to relaunch his playing career and also helped out as a goalkeeping coach after the departure of Ed de Goey.
But the club have just appointed another ex-United man, David Rouse, to coach their goalkeepers, and Bosnich will revert to an unofficial scouting role on behalf of manager Luigi de Canio.
De Canio explained to the Times: "I know Mark on a personal level and I use his experience to occasionally go and watch a player or a team. He has vast experience of the game.
"But I have to stress this is purely on a personal level, it's not as an employee of QPR.
"I do this with other people in the UK as well - both people that I know personally and others who actually work for QPR."
Rouse, 31, spent eight years coaching the junior and then reserve keepers at Old Trafford, and has also worked with Macclesfield, Rochdale and Wigan. Kilburn Times


Kilburn Times -Step on the Gaz
SUNDAY'S win over Stoke was a big step forward for us and I feel like we've matured as a team.
It was the first time we've managed to close out a game convincingly and that gives us great confidence. At half-time we were determined to make sure it wasn't going to be another Burnley or Crystal Palace.
People said 'if we let this one slip, there's something seriously wrong at this club and more changes need to be made'.
There aren't many players in the team now who have been together for more than about 10 games, but the belief we have is growing and I honestly think that, if there were 20 games left, we would finish in the top six.
On a personal level, it was great to get a run-out against Stoke and I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who cheered me when I came on. It means a lot to me to be a QPR player and I've always said to the gaffer that, when he needs me, I'll be ready.
I was pleased for Ledge, who was the star of the show with two terrific goals. I've known him since our days at Wimbledon and he's a real professional - he was out of the side for a few weeks, but never moaned and just got on with his job.
I know some people felt the red card had a big bearing on the game, but I think we'd have won it anyway. I felt sorry for Andy Griffin - in a way he was a victim of the Eduardo incident - but we didn't need a helping hand.
We always seem to play better against the top sides, so it's important that we show the same respect to the teams we're playing over the next few games.
Having said that, Sheffield Wednesday, Blackpool and Scunthorpe are all winnable games and I think we've got to be looking to take seven or nine points from those.
There's been a lot of talk about a possible takeover at Sheffield Wednesday - not a subject that's completely unfamiliar to us.
Although a takeover is in itself usually positive news, the uncertainty that comes first can be a bit negative and that does affect your football.
Hopefully, if that's the case at Wednesday, it'll benefit us this weekend and we can win at Hillsborough for the first time since promotion.
It'd give everyone a big lift if we could get into the top half of the Championship and hopefully, by Saturday night, that's where we'll be. Kilburn Times

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Coventry with 39 points from 34 games are at home to QPR with 44 points from 35 games. Coventry's home record is 6 wins, 6 defeats, 5 draws vs QPR's away record is 4 wins, 7 defeats and 6 draws. Table-- Coventry's results -- Coventry's Playing Squad

Coventry Telegraph - The Hoops: The lowdown
FOR THOSE who thought Coventry City's Operation Premiership was a joke, that's nothing compared to the ambitions of QPR's new owners who have set their sights on Champions League football in four years!
And after splashing out somewhere in the region of £6 million in the January transfer window, Renault boss Flavio Briatore and his backers, who include Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, have put their money where their mouth is to lay the foundations for such dizzy heights.
Although they brushed aside automatic promotion chasing Stoke City 3-0 on Sunday, Rangers remain frustratingly inconsistent, seemingly able to beat the big boys - as they have done against Bristol City and Watford as well - but stumble against the strugglers, which may be good news for the Sky Blues.
Given the weekend victory at Loftus Road, Italian manager Luigi De Canio is expected to field an unchanged side at the Ricoh Arena tonight including seven players that were bought in January, some of whom were paid for after joining the club earlier on loan with a view to permanent deals.
They include midfield maestro Akos Buzsaky whose 56th minute strike against the Potters was his eighth of the season for the Hoops.
Currently deployed wide right, the £500,000 signing from Plymouth is always a threat in and around the box, while £800,000 capture from Sheffield United, Mikele Leigertwood, waded in with an early brace to set Rangers on their way against Stoke.
Not known for his goal scoring exploits, Leigertwood is more of a grafter alongside all rounder Martin Rowlands in the heart of the midfield, while Hogan Ephraim likes to get forward and take on his full-back from the left.
Up front Rowan Vine is not exactly prolific but works incredibly hard and creates plenty of opportunities for his strike partner Patrick Agyemang.
De Canio likes to play tidy passing football and doesn't usually subscribe to the sit tight and hit them on the break tactics that a lot of teams favour away from home, and meddling owner Briatore recently had a say in that when he instructed his manager to play 4-4-2 away from home rather than go with a lone front man. Coventry Telegraph


Coventry Telegraph - Andy Turner's big match prediction: Coventry City v QPR Mar 5 2008
THE BIG question tonight is can the Sky Blues dust themselves down after back to back away defeats and produce a performance worthy of a result?
With Michael Doyle back from suspension, the skipper should provide a bit more bite in the midfield, while Chris Coleman has to weigh up whether to go for the experienced head of Stephen Hughes at such a testing time of the season, or keep faith with the youthful exuberance of Kevin Thornton who is capable of conjuring up a bit of magic to unlock the tightest of defences.
The most worrying aspect, however, is wondering where the next goal is going to come from.
City are looking decidedly light up front right now and are desperate for leading scorer Michael Mifsud to find his shooting boots again.

QPR like to pass the ball about so it should be an open and entertaining game, and if Coventry get over their nerves and rediscover a bit of confidence, they might just get something out of what is expected to be a difficult game.
AN instant hit at Loftus Road, Agyemang chalked up eight goals in his first six games after signing for £350,000 from Preston North End in January, making his fee look extremely good value.
While Preston fans were amazed - the striker never proving prolific in their colours - Agyemang was re-writing the history books with the best scoring run at QPR for 41 years.
He has since gone three games without a goal.
Andy Turner's big match prediction: Coventry City 1 QPR 1. Coventry Telegraph

QPR OFFICIAL SITE PREVIEW - MATCHDAY PREVIEW: SKY BLUES
Another week, another midweek trip for the R's loyal army of supporters. Next stop - The Ricoh Arena tonight.
It's all change at Coventry City once again, following Ray Ranson's high-profile take-over of the Midlands Club.
Iain Dowie's brisk departure resulted in the arrival of former Real Sociedad boss Chris Coleman a fortnight ago and the former Fulham gaffer, 37, has been joined at the Ricoh by Steve Keane, his assistant at Craven Cottage.
On his arrival, Coleman was keen to set out his stall, commenting: "This is a big Club, all geared up to be in the Premier League. It will not be easy but we want to build a team in order to do that."
And Ranson clearly echoes the new Manager's sentiments.
"There are no quick fixes in football - we have got a five-year plan," he said.
"Chris buys into that and I buy into what he hopes to achieve. We have discussed how much money he will get to strengthen the Club in the summer. We will work together and build a club and team that Coventry will be proud of."

The Welshman enjoyed a winning start to his reign with the Sky Blues, inspiring them to a comfortable 2-0 victory in the M69 derby against Leicester City.

Elliott Ward's first league goal in almost a year set Coleman on the way to a winning start, before Leon Best wrapped up the victory with a neat finish into the far corner after being set free by Kevin Thornton.

But two defeats on the spin since then has seen them slip down to 21st position - and more worringly perhaps, just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Rangers ground out a priceless victory in their last visit to the Ricoh Arena in April.

Chelsea loanee Jimmy Smith bagged the only goal of the game for John Gregory's men, on a day when the R's gained crucial ground on their fellow strugglers at the foot of the Championship table.

R's midfielder Gavin Mahon is again likely to miss out owing to a medial injury, while Coleman could recall midfield duo Michael Doyle and Stephen Hughes.

Doyle is available after completing a three-match ban and Hughes has recovered from concussion. QPR

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Daily Mail - Balanta's aiming higher than Toon hero Tino
Teenage sensation Angelo Balanta claims he can have a greater impact on English football than Newcastle icon Faustino Asprilla.
The 17-year-old has made just five appearances for Queens Park Rangers since signing professional forms last summer but has already impressed with his flair and creativity.
A goal on just his second start against Sheffield United last month put him firmly in contention for a place in the team for Wednesday's trip to Coventry - but the Columbian has set his sights a little higher.
"Asprilla was a great player but I think I can do more than him in the game," said Balanta, whose countryman scored 12 goals in 36 starts for Newcastle and spearheaded their narrow failure to land the Premier League title in 1996. Mail

Elsewhere at QPR: Aaron Goode links up with Andrew Howell at Wealdstone

QPR Official Site - GOODE LOAN DEAL
Rangers defender Aaron Goode has joined Wealdstone on loan.
The 19-year-old right back, who can also play in the centre of defence, will team up with fellow R Andrew Howell, who is also on loan to the Ryman Premier Division side.
Goode will remain with the Stones until 1st April, and could make his debut for his new side against Maidstone United this evening (Tuesday) QPR

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DailY Mirror - Lee Cook 5/03/2008
QPR are trying to take Lee Cook back to Loftus Road from Fulham, who bought him from them for £2.5m + Mirror

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March 5, 1983: Terry Venables's Promotion chasing team against Malcolm Allison's Middlesbrough. QPR 6 Middlesbrough 1 -- Video of QPR's Six Goals

Hucker
Neil Wicks Fenwick Dawes
Flanagan Waddock Gregory Mickelwhite
Allen Stainrod

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Daily Record - Soccer Shorts - Shirt Fitz
"SCOTLAND boss George Burley watched Fitz Hall play for QPR on Sunday and wants to know if the defender, who qualifies through a grandparent, now wants to play for his squad after he turned down Berti Vogts in 2003. Daily Record

Flashback to 2005
Football Co.uk - Sept 29, 2005 "Hall turns down Scotland
Crystal Palace centre-back Fitz Hall has rejected an offer to play international football for Scotland.
London-born Hall is eligible to represent England, Scotland or Barbados and after learning this, beleaguered Scotland coach Berti Vogts moved to secure his services.
However, the 23-year-old elected to pledge his allegiance to England, despite the number of top-class central defenders competing for a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad.
"I have spoken to Vogts, but I was born in England and I see myself as English," explained Hall.
"For now I just want to concentrate on playing for Palace in the Premiership." Football.co.uk

And from 2004:
Vogts unearths eligible youngster at Southampton;
Sunday Herald, The, Apr 25, 2004 by Michael Grant

BERTI Vogts has unearthed another Premiership player eligible to appear for Scotland. Southampton defender Fitz Hall qualifies through a Scottish grandparent and the Walthamstow-born 23-year-old could come into the set-up for the friendlies against Estonia and Trinidad & Tobago.

Hall made his Southampton debut in December and had just seven appearances going into yesterday's match against Bolton, albeit two of those were against Arsenal and Manchester United in the Premiership. If he has still to make a name for himself he can at least claim to have acquired a memorable nickname. Fitz Hall's team- mates call him "One Size".

Only two seasons ago the comm-anding central defender was playing in the Ryman League for Chesham United, having been released as a trainee by West Ham. Oldham brought him back to senior football before Gordon Strachan took him to St Mary's Stadium last July. When Hall's eligibility is confirmed he will follow Portsmouth midfielder Nigel Quashie - in line for his debut against Denmark on Wednesday - as the latest of Vogts' assimilated Scots. The manager says a third player's eligibility is being checked.

Vogts is impressed by Hall's physique and strength. "I have spoken to Paul Sturrock about him," he said. "He's a big lad, over 6ft. He's not played many games yet but he's always in the squad, always on the bench. First I have to speak to him and watch him. Maybe not to play in the two friendlies in May, but I have to watch him in training..."
nday Herald

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[To repost, very slightly revised, what posted here a year ago]

Forty-one years ago, QPR won at Wembley.... March 4 1967: Photo

---Video of Marsh's '67 goal - A Few second video at about 25 second mark. More Extensive Video of all three 1967 QPR goals (starting at about 3 minutes 55 seconds into the video.)
[Note: Feel free to post or Email at Qprreport@hotmail.com any other '67 video links. Thanks!]

The 41st anniversary of QPR's Historic League Cup Final Victory over WBA at Wembley.

The Team:
(Peter) Springett -Langley, Hunt, Sibley, Hazell
Lazarus, Sanderson,Keen (Roger) Morgan - Marsh, Allen"
(Unused) Sub- Ian Morgan
And a special note to Ian Watson who played in four of QPR's League Cup games that season but is usually not remembered/considered part of QPR's League Cup Triumph.
The Managerial Team: Alec Stock and Bill Dodgin
The Chairman: Jim Gregory

PHOTOS
1967 Programme - Programme
1966-67 Team Photo Photo Photo
Cup Triumph Photo - Photo
1967 Team Photo (almost) Team
Photos of Many of the players from that yearPhotos

QPR's Path To Wembley - League Cup Final Programme

Wikipedia Match Report
The 1967 Football League Cup Final took place on 4 March 1967 at Wembley Stadium. It was the seventh final and the first to be played at Wembley. It was contested between Queens Park Rangers of the Third Division and West Bromwich Albion of the First.

WBA were hot favourites to win, led by centre forward Jeff Astle. It was QPR's first ever appearance at Wembley, their star man was Rodney Marsh.

WBA started strongly with former QPR winger Clive Clark scoring twice to give WBA a 2-0 half time lead. In a fairy tale 2nd half, the underdogs stormed back. First Roger Morgan scored with a header. Then Rodney Marsh went on a mazy run, eluding tackles, and shot in off the post past keeper Dick Sheppard. In the closing minutes QPR centre half Ron Hunt went on a forward run and as he challenged the keeper for the ball it ran loose to Mark Lazarus to score the winning goal. Mike Keen lifted the cup to thousands of cheering Rangers fans" - Wikipedia

Carling Classic Finals - 1967 Classic Finals: Part One
1967: Queens Park Rangers 3 West Bromwich Albion 2

Interest in the League Cup was dwindling by 1967 and the Football League decided that to renew interest in England's second biggest cup competition, some changes needed to be made. Out went the two-legged final and in game a one-off finale, staged at the home of football, Wembley. Also, the winners (providing they were a First Division club) would be guaranteed European football in the Fairs Cup (now the UEFA Cup) the following season.

But a determined band of brothers from west London had other ideas as they hijacked the revitalised tournament. And so it was that Third Division QPR, with the likes of Les Allen, Jim Langley and the legendary Rodney Marsh in the side, waltzed all the way to the final and once there produced another great upset - just as they had done all season.

Former Rangers striker Clive Clark bagged a brace for West Brom in the first half to give the Baggies a two goal lead at half-time. But the Rs refused to lie down and they stunned the Midlanders with a breathtaking second half performance.

Roger Morgan scored just a few minutes after the restart to make it 2-1 and then, with 15 minutes of normal time remaining, Marsh produced a magnificent piece of skill, running through the Albion defence and levelling for the Londoners. And then, in the dying moments, Mark Lazarus completed a remarkable comeback and ensured Rangers made history as the first division three team to lift the League Cup.

They were refused entry into the Fairs Cup because of their lowly league status, but still had plenty to celebrate as they also won the Third Division title that season.
Carling

Some of the Heroes:
See:
Ron Norris/QPR Net 2002 Interview with Rodney Marsh - Rodney Marsh
Ron Norris/QPRNet 2003 Interview with Roger and Ian Morgan - Morgan Interview
Ron Norris/QPR Net 2003 Interview with Frank Sibley - Sibley

Dave's Queens Park Rangers FC Site Profile of Alec Stock - Alec Stock
Dave's Queens Park Rangers FC Site Profile of Jim Gregory-
Jim Gregory

Carling: Carling Cup History "...The romance for the smaller clubs returned with the Wembley ticket: in 1967, a young Rodney Marsh helped QPR on the way to their first proper piece of silverware. They beat West Brom 3-2 and, in the process, became the first Third Division club to win a major trophy. The Super Hoops added to their haul a few weeks later by picking up the Third Division title too. The League Cup was fast becoming the 'Lucky Cup'.
The fact that 98,000 fans packed into Wembley for the 1967 final was conclusive proof that the League Cup was now extremely popular. In just seven years it had earned the right to stand alongside the FA Cup as a showpiece final. In every subsequent year, Wembley would be a sell-out.Carling

1967 Team - "Where Are They Now" - From 2003 Sunday Times
Caught In Time QPR win League Cup, 1967 by Greg Struthers

A quiet revolution was taking place in west London in the mid-1960s. A dapper former army major called Alec Stock was putting together a Queens Park Rangers football team that was ready to challenge the cream of the country.

Stock had developed a fine youth scheme since taking over in 1959, and when Jim Gregory was appointed club chairman in March 1965, the manager was given money to spend on new players. Striker Les Allen was enticed from Tottenham, the experienced Jim Langley was bought from Fulham, and a fee of only 15,000 pounds was paid to Craven Cottage for striker Rodney Marsh, probably the most famous player to don blue-and-white hoops.

Under the astute management of Stock and coach Bill Dodgin, the experience and talent blended well, with young lads breaking into the first team such as Dave Clement, Frank Sibley, Tony Hazell and the Morgan twins, Ian and Roger.

"The young players would inspire each other," recalls Roger Morgan. "There were about five or six of us who had grown up together, and there was tremendous team spirit.

Alec was prepared to put his faith in youth, but we learnt from the experienced players around us." Mike Keen, the club captain, has fond memories of his time at Loftus Road. "Even though we were in the Third Division, we were playing some quality football, and there was a good attitude in the team," he says. They showed the nation how good they really were on a crisp, frosty March 4, 1967.

The football hierarchy was concerned about the diminishing value of the League Cup in the eyes of the leading clubs. So it decided that the final would be staged at Wembley and that the winning First Division club would qualify for the European Fairs Cup.

Queens Park Rangers scuppered those plans. They marched cornfortably into the final, then came from two goals down at half-time to upset First Division West Bromwich Albion, winning 3-2.

Clive Clark, a former QPR player, scored both goals for West Brom, but the Rangers players were not concerned at half-time. "We had come back from 2-0 down in other games that season and were told to simply go out and enjoy the. day," says Keen.

Enjoy it they did. Roger Morgan scored after the restart, and 15 minutes from the end, Marsh set off on a trademark mazy dribble that ended with a brilliant solo goal, his shot going in off the post. Late in the game, Mark Lazarus scored the winner.

Rangers were denied a place in Europe, but were more than satisfied with their season. They won the Third Division by 12 points, and the following year were promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history.

1 Ron Hunt (QPR)
One of the products of the club's youth scheme, Hunt made his name as a solid centre-half. He became a squash coach after retiring from football, but knee injuries suffered earlier in his career forced him to quit. He lives near Reading and works for a petro-chemical company based in London.

2 Les Allen (QPR)
A striker in Tottenham's Doublewinning side of 1960-61, Allen moved to QPR for 21,000 pounds in July 1965. "I met Jim Gregory, the chairman, and he laid out the plans about what they wanted to do. I was impressed, even though they were in the Third Division," recalls Allen. "It was quite a change. When I started, we were only getting gates of 3,000 or 4,000 people, but that trebled when we began to get results". Allen became player-manager in December 1968 after the premature departure of Stock and the stormy 28-day reign of the colourful Scot Tommy Docherty. However, the club was relegated, and he moved on to manage Swindon, then spent time in Greece.
He then became a professional model-maker. Allen, who recently underwent hip replacement surgery, is retired and lives in Brentwood.

3 Roger Morgan (Tottenham Hotspur)
Another of the young players who came through QPR's youth scheme, Morgan was a speedy right-winger who played in 180 games for Rangers, scoring 39 goals. He then joined Tottenham, where he scored eight goals in 68 games. Although he scored a goal in the final, he does not remember the game well. "I was only 20 years old, and it went so quickly that I did not have time to savour it," he says. "But we were on the crest of a wave." After battling with injuries for four years, he was forced to quit s football at 26. He went to college and earned a degree in leisure studies.

After working as a recreation officer for Haringey council in London for 11 years, Morgan joined West Ham United and has run their football in the community scheme for 12 years. There are 125,000 children in the Essex and Hertfordshire area who take part in the project, and he feeds the best of them into the West Ham Academy. "It's nice to be giving something back to the game," he says.

4 Ian Morgan (QPR)
A wing forward like his twin brother, Roger, Ian also joined the club through the youth ranks. He signed for Watford after a successful spell at QPR, but was forced to quit football at 28 because of injury. He moved to Norway, where he coached for five years. On his return to Britain, he went into the leisure industry , teaching football and tennis in schools. Morgan lives in east London and helps his brother in the football in the community scheme at West Ham.

5 Mike Keen (Luton Town)
One of the old school of half-backs Keen was a skilful player who enjoyed delivering long passes, and he was a strong, clinical tackler. He was a QPR stalwart who joined the club in 1958, and played in 393 League matches. After a change of managers, he moved to Luton before finishing his playing career at Watford. He was appointed manager at Vicarage Road and enjoyed four years at the club, where he set about engendering the spirit he had experienced as a player at Loftus Road. He managed Northampton for a year before taking charge of Wycombe part-time and then Marlow while he concentrated on running Sport and Ski, a shop in Wycombe. He lives in Flackwell Heath in Buckinghamshire, and is manager of a shop in Oxfordshire that sells outdoor gear and ski equipment.

6 Tony Hazell (QPR)
A right-back who joined the club as a 15-year-old apprentice, Hazell admits that he did not have a great final. But he enjoyed his time at QPR, although he admits "football was nowhere near as intense as it is today". He later joined Millwall. and then spent three years at Charlton.
When he hung up his boots, he became an insurance salesman for three or four years, then went into property maintenance. He lives at Flackwell Heath, the same village as his former captain, and is a technician for BT, specialising in fibre optics.

7 Peter Springett (Sheffield Wednesday)
A member of the Springett goalkeeping family, Peter played an important role in the success of QPR, while his brother Ron stood between the posts for Sheffield Wednesday and won 33 caps for England. When he quit football, Peter joined the police force In Sheffield. He died after a short illness about four years ago.

Taken from this site: Where are they now

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BBC - QPR can make play-offs - Delaney
Queens Park Rangers defender Damien Delaney insists the team can still make a late surge for the play-offs.
The R's are now eight points above the relegation zone and eight points behind the top six after Sunday's 3-0 win over Stoke City.
Delaney, 26, told BBC London 94.9: "No one is under any illusions, but as long as it's mathematically possible we'll keep trying."
QPR travel to the Ricoh Arena on Wednesday to face struggling Coventry.
Mikele Leigertwood, who hit two goals in Sunday's victory, refused to get carried away by the side's recent run. "You've got to be realistic as a few bad results and we'll be looking the other way again," he told BBC London 94.9.
"Obviously, everyone wants to get promoted and we'll be looking to get as high up the table as possible." BBC


Sheffield Wednesday Official Site "...Meanwhile, [Brian]Laws will look to extend the loan deal of midfield man Adam Bolder this week." Sheffield Wednesday


SETANTA - Torquay v Aldershot preview - by Tom Kell,
Table-toppers Aldershot visit second-placed Torquay on Monday night, live on Setanta Sports, with the rest of the Blue Square Premier crossing its fingers that The Gulls can claim three points and stop Gary Waddock’s side romping away with automatic promotion.
A weekend win for The Shots and defeat for Torquay left Waddock’s charges eight points clear of their hosts and in pole position to claim the single guaranteed route back to the football league.
Fancy watching action live from Plainmoor as the top two teams outside The Football League go head-to-head? Click here for details on how to sign up to Setanta.
The former Queens Park Rangers manager has transformed the side since his arrival, treating The Recreation Ground to a regular treat of free-flowing football, with the emphasis very much on placing trust in the club’s clutch of impressive youngsters.
Waddock will be desperate to see his top-scorer, and one of his elder statesmen John Grant pass a late fitness test on his knee and ankle, with Rob Elvins and new signing Junior Mendes both on standby.
Despite the seemingly season-defining nature of the game, Waddock is determined to convince his players that nothing will be decided on Monday.
"We want to win the game because we want to win every game, but come Monday evening, win, lose or draw, nobody will get promoted and nobody will get relegated," he told the club's official website.
Waddock's Torquay counterpart, Paul Buckle, will be able to call upon Lee Mansell again after the defender’s suspension, although club skipper Steve Woods has staked his own claims at the back during Mansell’s absence.
Prediction: 2-2 -